A first-grade teacher at Lookout Mountain Elementary School has been charged with child abuse following an incident involving her own children at the Ruby Falls parking lot, according to police.
Heather Pecht was arrested Friday, Dec. 26, and charged with two counts of child abuse after officers investigated allegations that she scratched, pinched and bit her children during an altercation earlier this month.
According to a police report, officers responded at about 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 to a child abuse simple assault complaint at 1720 S. Scenic Highway, the location of Ruby Falls. A man told police he had picked up two of his youngest children from their mother and noticed scratches and scabs covering their hands. The children told him their mother had caused the injuries.
The father further told officers that abuse by Pecht had been ongoing for years and involved all three of his children. He said his oldest child now lives with him because the child “does not want to be around his mother.” The father told police he had previously reported concerns to Marion County authorities and the Dunlap Police Department, but no action had been taken.
Investigators said the two younger children told officers they were sitting in a car with their mother in the Ruby Falls parking lot when Pecht’s phone ended up in the back seat. According to the report, the children said Pecht began yelling at them to retrieve the phone and started pinching and scratching them while they tried to comply.
One child told police they exited the vehicle in an attempt to get away from her. Another child reported that while trying to push Pecht’s hands away, she bit his hand.
All three children told officers the abuse had been happening for years and occurred about once a week, according to the report.
Police noted visible injuries on the children, including scratches, red marks and deep impressions resembling fingernail marks on their hands. Based on the statements from the children and the observed injuries, officers arrested Pecht and charged her with two counts of child abuse.
Forensic interviews were scheduled for the children at a child advocacy center, and the father filed for emergency custody of the two younger children. Authorities said emergency custody was granted.
The case remains under investigation.
