This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Crime Alert, hourly update. Breaking Crime News

Now. I'm Sidney Sumner. Two Southern teachers of the year are now facing crimes related to children.

An Alabama elementary school teacher was arrested this week in charge with willful abuse of a child under 18 after a video

went viral, showing her allegedly beating a boy with a belt more than 20 times. Cottage Hill

Christian Academy said the boy was Nicole Staples' son, and the incident took place at her home.

In the video, the woman identified as Staples yells obscenities at the child and beats him for not

finishing his chores. She has also seen slamming the boy to the ground by his hair and jerking

him back up again. The viral videos described as very disturbing and hard to watch. The school

said it placed Staples 44 on administrative leave when it learned about the allegations and fired

her when she was arrested.

School administrator Chris Brazell said, quote,

Cottage Hill Christian Academy prioritizes the well-being of children above all else.

We will always act promptly, transparently, and responsibly when matters arise that may

impact the safety or integrity of our school community.

The school said it was cooperating with state and local officials as they continue their investigation. Staples was a second

grade teacher at the school and named co-teacher of the year in May. Staples is to appear in court

for a bond hearing in the coming days. A former South Carolina teacher who sent over 60 love letters

to a student he stalked has pleaded guilty to harassment. 27-year-old Dylan Robert Dukes admitted

in court Wednesday, he contacted the victim after she left Starr Elementary School in Anderson County.

After realizing she would no longer attend the school, he joined her church.

Dukes also engaged in a string of obsessive behavior, including writing the love letters,

presenting the student with gifts and unwanted hugs, beginning all the way back in 2023.

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