Chattanooga, August 27, 2025
News Summary
A mother in Chattanooga, Misty Sue Coleman, has been charged with aggravated child abuse after allegedly striking her own child with her vehicle outside a school. The incident, which raised serious concerns about child safety, occurred when the child exited the vehicle and was hit on the ankle as Coleman reportedly accelerated. Surveillance footage supported the child’s account, and previous welfare concerns for the child have been noted. The investigation by local authorities is ongoing, seeking to address both the immediate incident and broader child welfare issues.
Chattanooga Mother Charged with Aggravated Child Abuse After Accidentally Striking Child with Vehicle Outside School
Chattanooga, TN – Misty Sue Coleman is facing serious legal repercussions after allegedly striking her own child with her vehicle outside the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy on the morning of August 19, 2025. This incident has raised significant concerns regarding child safety and parental responsibility.
The school resource deputy responded promptly to a report of a student being struck by a vehicle. This came after a child approached the principal’s office visibly upset. Reports indicate that the child had missed the morning school bus, which Coleman reportedly found frustrating.
As the child exited Coleman’s vehicle, she allegedly accelerated before the child was fully out of the car, hitting the child on the right ankle. According to authorities, Coleman then left the parking lot without stopping to check on her child or assess the situation.
Surveillance video footage from the school supported the child’s account of events, showing the vehicle accelerating with the child still partially exiting from the rear passenger side, leading to the collision. Following the impact, the vehicle departed the scene with the rear door left open, raising further concerns among school officials.
In response to the incident, Misty Sue Coleman has been charged with aggravated child abuse or neglect. This legal action reflects the seriousness of the allegation and the potential consequences Coleman could face. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the matter to gather more details and determine any additional legal implications.
Notably, this is not the first instance of concern regarding the treatment of the child, as the child’s therapist had previously referred them to the Department of Children’s Services following a separate incident. This detail underscores the importance of ongoing vigilance concerning child welfare, particularly in situations involving potential neglect or abuse.
Legal Context
Aggravated child abuse or neglect is a severe charge that can result in significant legal penalties, including imprisonment and loss of custody. Child welfare agencies are also likely to become involved, assessing the family situation and ensuring the child’s safety moving forward.
Community Reaction
The incident has raised alarm within the Chattanooga community, prompting discussions about parental accountability and the safeguards in place to protect children in school zones. Community members have expressed their concern over the safety measures at school facilities and the importance of addressing any behavioral issues that may impact child welfare.
Conclusion
The case against Misty Sue Coleman continues to evolve as investigators delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the event. Parents, educators, and community leaders remain hopeful that this incident will serve as a catalyst for wider discussions about child safety and support systems that are in place for families in distress.
FAQ
What were the circumstances of the incident involving Misty Sue Coleman?
Misty Sue Coleman allegedly struck her own child with her vehicle outside the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy after the child missed the school bus.
What charges has Coleman been faced with?
Coleman has been charged with aggravated child abuse or neglect.
Was there any evidence supporting the child’s account?
Yes, surveillance footage from the school corroborated the child’s story, showing the vehicle accelerating while the child was partially exiting.
Is this the first incident involving child welfare for this family?
No, the child’s therapist had previously referred them to the Department of Children’s Services due to another incident.
What is the status of the investigation?
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the incident.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- WOWT: Mother Allegedly Struck Her Own Child with Vehicle
- Chattanooga Pulse: Woman Charged with Aggravated Child Abuse
- Local 3 News: Woman Runs Over Child at Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy
- Chattanoogan: Mom Charged with Aggravated Child Abuse
- WDEF: Mother Facing Child Abuse Charges After Hitting Child with Car
- Wikipedia: Child Abuse
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Abuse
- Google Search: Child Safety
- Google Scholar: Child Abuse Prevention
- Google News: Chattanooga Child Abuse
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
