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Arrest of teacher sparks outrage after alleged abuse of own children

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.