Empty Classroom - File Photo - Bigstock Photo

Arrest of teacher sparks outrage after alleged abuse of own children — Empty Classroom - File Photo - Bigstock Photo

Chattanooga, TN – A local elementary school teacher has been arrested following allegations of abusing her children. Heather Pecht, 47, was taken into custody by the Chattanooga Police Department on Friday.

Pecht faces two counts of child neglect after her children reported that she had attacked them while they were in a car. Court documents reveal that the incident occurred at Ruby Falls in Lookout Mountain on Friday.

The children’s father noticed injuries on their hands and inquired about them. The children apparently identified Pecht as the cause of their injuries.

According to the details in court documents, the children were in the backseat of the car when Pecht demanded her phone back from them. As they attempted to return it, she is accused of pinching one child and biting another.

The father, who lives separately from Pecht, contacted law enforcement after returning home with the children. He reported that he had previously alerted authorities about Pecht’s behavior, but no action was taken.

All three children told police that the abuse had been ongoing for years. Officers validated the children’s claims by observing similar injuries.

The father and children spoke with the Child Advocacy Center and provided matched accounts of the events. The father was granted emergency custody of all three children.

Pecht is employed as a first-grade teacher at Lookout Mountain Elementary School. Hamilton County Schools has not commented on her employment status.

She posted bond after her arrest and is scheduled to appear in court again on January 27, 2026.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.