An Alabama special needs teacher who was named “Teacher of the Month” earlier this year has been arrested after allegedly pouring hot sauce on a student’s tongue as punishment for sticking it out.
Heather Varner Hunter, 46, was arrested on October 26 and charged with child abuse following an investigation by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.
According to local news outlet WTVY, the incident allegedly occurred in September at Cottonwood Elementary School, where Hunter worked as a special needs teacher.
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Authorities say Hunter poured hot sauce directly onto a student’s tongue after the child stuck it out, apparently using the condiment as a form of punishment.
The allegations are particularly striking given that Hunter had been recognized for her work as an educator just months earlier.
Award-winning teacher no longer employed after hot sauce incident
In March 2026, Hunter was named Teacher of the Month by radio station 95.5 WTVY-FM.
During an interview celebrating the award, Hunter revealed she had spent eight years teaching at Cottonwood Elementary and had 18 years of experience in education.
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However, following the allegations and subsequent arrest, Houston County Schools Superintendent Brandy White confirmed that Hunter was no longer working for the district.
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“I can confirm that (Hunter) is no longer employed by the Houston County School System,” White told WTVY.
The superintendent added that the district had fully cooperated with investigators and turned over relevant information to the Alabama Department of Human Resources.
The arrest comes less than two months after another Alabama educator made headlines when a 77-year-old volunteer teacher was arrested for allegedly striking a child during an argument over Pokémon cards.
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In a separate October incident, a Canadian teacher was reprimanded for showing R-rated horror movies to students, spraying children with a water gun and sharing an inappropriate meme.
As for Hunter, WDBJ7 reports that she was released from custody after posting a $2,500 bond.
The child abuse allegation remains a criminal charge, and Hunter has not been convicted.
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