ALABAMA TEACHER ALLEGEDLY POURED HOT SAUCE ON A BOY’S TONGUE

In March 2026, Heather Varner Hunter was named Teacher of the Month. On September 15, 2026, that same Alabama teacher allegedly poured hot sauce on a boy’s tongue, charging documents say.

Deputies said the boy had stuck his tongue out first. WTVY reported the hot sauce was allegedly used as punishment, and AL.com wrote that the charging documents called the student “defiant” and said he was sticking his tongue out at teachers.

Hunter, 46, of Dothan, taught special-needs students at Cottonwood Elementary School in Houston County. A Houston County Sheriff’s Office investigation followed, WDTN said.

Jail records show she was arrested Monday afternoon, October 26, 2026. AL.com said the charge was child abuse/torture. WTVY and WDTN described it simply as child abuse.

Houston County Schools Superintendent Brandy White said Hunter no longer works for the district.

“I can confirm that (Hunter) is no longer employed by the Houston County School System,” White told WTVY News4.

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

Eight years at Cottonwood

Hunter had a public profile before any of this. In an interview with 95.5 WTVY-FM, she said she had taught at Cottonwood for eight years and had been an educator for 18.

The radio station is also where the Teacher of the Month honor in March 2026 was noted.

Hunter was booked into the Houston County Jail and released after posting $2,500 bond.