Florida teacher arrested for allegedly partying with students teaching again at Saturn Elementary: 'Livid'
Parents protest return of Brevard County teacher after arrest
A Brevard County elementary school teacher is back in the classroom after she was arrested during a drunken high school house party in January 2025. FOX 35's Esther Bower has more info as some parents are upset by the teachers return to the classroom.
ORLANDO, Fla. - A Florida teacher accused of attending a house party at her principal's house where some 200 underage kids also attended – and some were drinking – has been reassigned to another school.
FOX 35 also obtained the bodycamera video from the officers who responded to the house that night. Due to the number of minors involved, FOX 35 has chosen not to show that part of the bodycam. Other videos show officers' interaction with both the accused teacher and the accused principal.
Florida teacher reassigned to different school
What we know:
Brevard Public Schools confirmed with FOX 35 on Monday that Karly Anderson – who is facing two misdemeanor charges of disorderly intoxication and disorderly conduct – is now teaching at Saturn Elementary. She was reassigned from Roosevelt Elementary in Cocoa Beach following the incident in January.
Why is the teacher allowed to still teach?
The district said in a statement that because the felony charges were reduced to misdemeanor charges, Anderson was allowed to continue teaching. She previously tendered her resignation, but later rescinded it, the district said.
"The State Attorney cleared Karly Anderson of the felony charges. Department of Children and Family Services cleared Ms. Anderson as well. She’s a certified teacher and as of today she’s been placed by the district back into a classroom," the district said in a statement to FOX 35.
Previously, the school district told us Anderson was retiring from the district. FOX 35 asked about that on Monday, and the district explained in another statement:
"She rescinded her resignation in the appropriate timeframe, so the resignation/retirement never officially took place."
What they're saying:
Some parents FOX 35 talked with on Monday were not happy that Anderson was transferred to another school while her case continues through the court system.
"It’s ridiculous. It is absolutely ridiculous and uncalled for," said Saturn Elementary parent, Ashely Fernandez.
Fernandez has a child at Saturn. She said students shouldn’t be around a teacher accused of attending a house party allegedly with alcohol, drugs and underage students.
"I was livid because honestly the woman still hasn’t even gone to court," said the mother. "This issue hasn’t been resolved at all and so, she has no place being inside of a school right now."
Others are worried the relocation was hidden from the community.
"We’ll forget that anything ever happened. We’ll forget that people were up in arms at the time, that a teacher and principal were involved, and we’ll just reassign her and no one will know," said Liz Mikitarian, who founded STOP Moms For Liberty in Brevard County. Her organization’s goal is to push back against extremist policies in public schools.
Some parents protested outside Saturn Elementary.
Bodycam video released: ‘Get out of my face! Now!’
On Monday, the Florida State Attorney's Office for the 18th Judicial Circuit released body-worn camera video from the night of the alleged house party. FOX 35 received the video as part of a public records request.
Brevard County teacher back in the classroom after arrest
A Brevard County elementary school teacher is back in the classroom after she was arrested during a drunken high school house party in January 2025. FOX 35's Esther Bower has more info as some parents are upset by the teachers return to the classroom.
Three videos were released.
In one video, an officer asked students at the party about the party and about the number of vehicles blocking the street.
In another video, Anderson approaches an officer and is seemingly concerned about a student being loaded into an ambulance. She is then seen arguing and cursing at the Cocoa Beach Police Officer, who then scolds her for attending a party where some 200 kids were drinking. The third video is of the interrogation of Anderson. She declines to talk to the officer and requests an attorney.
FOX 35 reached out to the attorney representing Anderson. He told FOX 35's Esther Bower that he was glad the charges were reduced, but believes the charges should be dropped altogether.
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The Source: FOX 35's Reporter Esther Bower spoke with parents on social media on 4/14, concerned about the teacher being allowed to teach again so soon after the arrest. She also interviewed a mom on camera about her frustrations and explained why she is organizing protests outside Saturn Elementary. She corresponded several times with Brevard Public Schools spokespeople via email on 4/14 asking for more information about the teacher's new reassignment. She was sent multiple emails with new information from the district. She also spoke via email with the 18th Judicial Court State Attorney's Office public information officer. She was sent updates to charges the teacher is facing as well as the bodycam footage from the night of the party by the SAO. Lastly, she called the teacher's attorney on 4/14 and was given a statement over the phone on the current status of his client's case.