Chattanooga, Tennessee – A Tennessee woman who works as an elementary school teacher is facing criminal charges after her own children accused her of physically attacking them during a dispute over a cellphone, according to police and court records.
Allegations Reported After Children Returned to Father
Heather Pecht, 47, was arrested Friday by the Chattanooga Police Department and charged with two counts of child neglect, authorities confirmed. The allegations surfaced after Pecht’s two younger children were returned to their father following a visit on Friday evening.
According to court documents obtained by Chattanoogan.com, the children told their father that their mother had injured them earlier that day while they were inside a vehicle parked at Ruby Falls, located in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee.
The father reportedly noticed healing scratches on both children’s hands and asked how they were injured. The children allegedly stated that their mother was responsible.
Incident Allegedly Began Over a Phone in the Car
Court records state that the incident occurred while the children were sitting in the back seat of a vehicle in the Ruby Falls parking lot. When Pecht’s cellphone ended up in the back seat, she allegedly began yelling at the children to return it.
As the children attempted to hand the phone back, Pecht allegedly pinched and scratched one child, police said. During the confrontation, the other child reportedly tried to intervene to protect their sibling and was bitten by Pecht, according to the documents.
Officers later observed injuries consistent with the children’s statements, police said.
Father Contacted Police After Prior Reports, Documents Say
The children’s father, who lives separately from Pecht, contacted law enforcement after his children were returned to him Friday night. Officers responded to his home and conducted an initial investigation.
According to police reports, the father told officers that he had reported Pecht’s alleged abusive behavior in the past, but said no action had been taken at that time. Court documents also note that the former couple’s oldest child already lives with the father because the child reportedly “does not want to be around his mother.”
Children Allege Abuse Occurred for Years
During the investigation, police interviewed all three children. Officers stated in court records that the children independently reported the same allegations and claimed the abuse had been “happening for years” and occurred about once a week.
Authorities also confirmed that the injuries observed by officers matched what the father initially reported seeing on the children’s hands.
Following interviews conducted at the Child Advocacy Center, police said the father and all three children provided consistent details regarding the alleged abuse. Based on those findings, the father was granted emergency custody of all three children.
Teacher Employment Raises Additional Concerns
Pecht is reportedly employed as a first-grade teacher at Lookout Mountain Elementary School, according to reporting by a Birmingham, Alabama-based outlet.
The school is part of Hamilton County Schools, which has not commented publicly on Pecht’s employment status or whether administrative action has been taken while the case is pending.
Charges, Bond, and Court Date
Pecht was arrested Friday and booked on two counts of child neglect, police said. She later posted bond and was released from custody.
Court records indicate that Pecht is scheduled to appear in court again on January 27, 2026, where the case is expected to proceed.
At this stage, authorities emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing. No additional charges have been announced, and Pecht has not publicly responded to the allegations.
Broader Context on Child Protection Investigations
Cases involving alleged abuse by a parent often involve multiple agencies, including law enforcement, child advocacy centers, and family courts. Emergency custody orders are typically issued when authorities believe children may be at ongoing risk.
Officials stress that allegations remain claims until proven in court, but emergency actions are sometimes taken to ensure child safety while investigations continue.
Conclusion
A Tennessee elementary school teacher is now facing serious legal scrutiny after her children accused her of physically harming them during an argument over a cellphone. Police say the allegations are supported by visible injuries and consistent statements from all three children, leading to her arrest and the transfer of emergency custody to their father.
As the case moves forward, court proceedings will determine the outcome, while school officials and child protection authorities continue to monitor the situation.
If you or someone you know has experienced or witnessed child abuse, authorities urge reporting concerns to local law enforcement or child protective services. Share your experiences in the comments below.
