A Tennessee teacher for first graders has been charged following accusations of child abuse, according to Chattanooga police. The unsettling incident reportedly took place in the parking lot of Ruby Falls, located at 1720 S. Scenic Highway in Chattanooga, on December 12.

The case came to light when the children’s father reached out to the police, raising concerns about their mother, Heather Pecht, as reported by News Channel 9. An arrest affidavit details the father’s account; he noticed injuries on his two youngest children after picking them up, with the children claiming that Pecht was responsible for their injuries.

The father also revealed a troubling history, stating he has been trying to report similar instances of abuse for years, but authorities in Dunlap and Marion County had not taken action to assist him. His concerns have evidently been longstanding and unresolved.

Further complicating the family dynamics, the father mentioned that his eldest child prefers living with him to avoid being with their mother. This choice underscores the severity of the situation at hand.

When officers interviewed the two children involved, they recounted that Pecht became agitated and began yelling at them after her phone fell into the back seat of the car. In the ensuing chaos, as they attempted to return the phone, Pecht allegedly resorted to scratching and pinching them.

The responding officers spoke with the two children, who reportedly said that Pecht started screaming at them when her phone fell in her car’s back seat. She then allegedly scratched and pinched them while they tried to hand her the phone.

The oldest child exited the vehicle, but Pecht allegedly bit him on the hand while he tried to push her away. The children told police that abuse had been “happening for years, and occurs about once a week,” the Chattanoogan reports.

Local 3 News reports that the officers found injuries on the children that were consistent with their statements.

Pecht is now facing two counts of child abuse and scheduled for a January 27 court hearing.

The children later underwent forensic interviews at a Child Advocacy Center. Their father has been granted emergency custody.

Pecht reportedly works at Lookout Mountain Elementary School in Hamilton County. The status of her employment is currently unclear.

Check back for updates.

[Feature Photo via Chattanooga PD]