A first-grade teacher from Tennessee has been charged with child abuse, according to Chattanooga police, following accusations involving her own children.

The incident reportedly took place on December 12 in the parking lot of Ruby Falls, located at 1720 S. Scenic Highway, Chattanooga. The children’s father contacted authorities regarding their mother, Heather Pecht, as reported by News Channel 9.

An arrest affidavit reveals that the father noticed injuries on his two youngest children when he picked them up. The children attributed these injuries to Pecht.

The father further claimed that he had been attempting to report previous abuse incidents for several years, but police in Dunlap and Marion County had not provided assistance.

Additionally, the father mentioned that his oldest child resides with him, stating that the child prefers not to be around their mother.

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]