Tennessee teacher faces child abuse charges after children describe attack

A Tennessee first-grade teacher is facing child abuse charges after her own children told police she bit and scratched them during an outing, according to court records.

Police were alerted to the allegations on December 12, when officers were called to the Lookout Mountain Police Department following a report of suspected child abuse.

A man told officers that two of his children had just returned from spending time with their mother, Heather Pecht, and he noticed fresh scratches and scabs on their hands, reports WTVC Chattanooga.

According to an affidavit, the children said their mother caused the injuries. When officers spoke to them directly, the pair described an incident in the Ruby Falls parking lot, where they said Pecht bit and scratched them.

Officers documented visible injuries, including scratches, scabs and what appeared to be fingernail marks on the children’s hands and arms. Police said the marks were consistent with the children’s accounts.

Investigators also noted that Pecht works as a first-grade teacher at Lookout Mountain Elementary School. Public arrest records show she was taken into custody on Friday, December 26.

Pecht now faces two counts of child abuse as the investigation continues.