A former Southview Elementary School pre-kindergarten teacher faces criminal charges amidst accusations that she physically harmed students.

Katelyn Carter, 26, resigned last week after parents complained she had pushed students and pulled one from underneath a bathroom stall. She turned herself in to Tuscaloosa police Friday morning and was charged with five misdemeanor counts of harassment.

Carter was listed among teachers new to the school in a school newsletter published in August.

Lt. Teena Richardson, TPD spokeswoman, said school administrators are also conducting an investigation to ensure no other children were harmed. The children involved in the criminal cases suffered no physical injuries, she said.

"There were no visible injuries on either one of the kids," she said. "She was charged because it struck fear into these kids and because she had physical contact with them."

Carter was accompanied by her attorney, Mary Turner, when she turned herself in.

"Katelyn has wanted to be a teacher for as long as she can remember and dedicated her education to becoming the best teacher she could be," Turner said. "Katelyn has excelled as a young teacher and adamantly denies these charges. Katelyn looks forward to clearing her name and resuming her career."

Richardson said the incidents were reported to police and investigated this week.

"Anyone who has kids and sends them to school sends them with the idea that the child is there to learn and that they're going to be protected by those who are teaching them," Richardson said. "When an incident like this happens, it brings fear."