A Michigan special education teacher has been pictured sobbing in her mugshot after being charged with multiple counts of sexual misconduct involving children.

Heather Winfield, 38, was arrested last week following a lengthy investigation that began back in 2016 when she was working as a teacher at Thunder Bay Junior High School in Alpena.

Winfield is facing up to life in prison if she is found guilty of the various charges that stem incidents with at least one child under the age of 13 years.

Heather Winfield, 38, was arrested last week following a lengthy investigation that began back in 2016 when she was working as at Thunder Bay Junior High School in Alpena, Michigan

She was charged on Monday with two counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct with a child younger than 13 and one count of first degree criminal sexual conduct during the commission of a felony.

Winfield is also charged with a count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a child ages 13 to 15, accosting a minor for immoral purposes and using a computer to commit a crime.

Police have not confirmed if the charges relate to one under age victim, or if Winfield is accused of having multiple child victims.

It is also not clear if the alleged victim or victims were Winfield's students.

The investigation was based on allegations between 2016 and July 2018.

Winfield worked as a special education teacher at the junior high school from 2012 until she resigned in 2016.

Alpena Public Schools issued a statement on Monday, saying they are 'committed to the safety, security, and quality of the learning environment for all of our students'.

'We will always take proper action in alignment with our board policies and Michigan law to maintain a safe environment for students.

'Alpena Public Schools has cooperated with this investigation from the beginning and will continue to cooperate moving forward.

'Due to state and federal law protecting student privacy and personnel records, we are unable to share any additional details at this time.'