Special needs teacher accused of pouring hot sauce on student’s tongue as a punishment

HOUSTON COUNTY, Ala. (WTVY/Gray News) - An Alabama special needs teacher is facing child abuse charges after deputies say she poured hot sauce on a student’s tongue.

Heather Varner Hunter, a 46-year-old special needs teacher at Cottonwood Elementary School, allegedly used hot sauce to punish a student for sticking out their tongue in September. A Houston County Sheriff’s Office investigation followed.

Jail records show Hunter was arrested Monday afternoon. She is no longer employed by the Houston County School System, according to Superintendent Brandy White.

White said the school system cooperated fully with authorities, and all information has been turned over to the Alabama Department of Human Resources.

Hunter was named Teacher of the Month in March, according to 95.5 WTVY-FM. She said she had taught at Cottonwood for eight years and spent 18 years as an educator.

Hunter was released after posting a $2,500 bond.