Chattanooga, TN – A 48-year-old mother, Misty Sue Coleman, was arrested after allegedly striking her daughter with a car in the school parking lot because the child had missed the bus, authorities said. The incident occurred Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, a school serving grades 6–12 located on Bailey Avenue.
Incident at School Parking Lot
According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the school resource deputy responded to reports of a student being struck by a vehicle in the school parking lot. School staff said the daughter, whose name and age were not released, came into the principal’s office visibly upset. She explained that her mother “became angry after the child missed the school bus”.
Investigators found that as the child was exiting the vehicle, Coleman allegedly accelerated before the student was fully out, striking the child’s right ankle and driving away without stopping.
Surveillance Footage Corroborates Allegations
The sheriff’s office reported that school surveillance footage confirmed the child’s account. The video shows the student partially exiting the rear passenger side when the car accelerated, hitting her and leaving with the door still open.
Arrest and Court Appearance
Following the investigation, Coleman was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse or neglect. She was later released after posting bond. Her court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 3 in General Sessions Court.
Due to the juvenile nature of the case, authorities did not provide further details about the child or ongoing investigation.
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