In Tennessee, a first-grade teacher is facing two charges of child abuse following accusations from her children, who informed their father that she allegedly bit and scratched them while shouting over her cell phone.

According to The Chattanoogan, on December 12, Chattanooga Police received a report after the children’s father collected them from his estranged wife, Heather Pecht. He observed scratches and scabs on their hands, which the children claimed were inflicted by their mother.

The father stated that he had previously reported similar incidents of abuse, but they had not resulted in any action. He mentioned that his eldest child resides with him because the child prefers to avoid their mother.

Court records reveal that the two younger children recounted to authorities an incident involving Pecht in the Ruby Falls parking lot on Lookout Mountain. When Pecht’s cell phone fell into the back seat, she reportedly began yelling at them to retrieve it. As they attempted to comply, she allegedly pinched and scratched them. One child exited the vehicle to escape, and another claimed Pecht bit him when he tried to push her hands away.

Both children reported that such abusive behavior had been ongoing for years, occurring approximately once a week.

Police noted scratches, red marks, and other marks resembling fingernail imprints on the children’s hands.

The oldest child also reported frequent abuse, WTVC reported.

The father filed a request for emergency custody of the children, which was granted, and Pecht was arrested on Friday on two counts of child abuse.

Pecht is a first grade teacher at Lookout Mountain Elementary School.