In a startling turn of events, a mother from California faces felony child abuse charges following a disturbing incident captured on video. The footage, which quickly went viral, depicts her 19-month-old child tumbling out of a moving SUV at a bustling intersection in Fullerton, authorities reported on Monday.
The Fullerton Police Department was alerted to the alarming video that showcases a black SUV making a turn when, unexpectedly, a passenger-side door swings open. This sudden opening resulted in a young child falling onto the busy roadway.
In a heart-stopping moment, the SUV halts abruptly, as a vehicle trailing closely behind narrowly avoids hitting the child. The quick-thinking driver stops just before reaching the child lying on the pavement.
The video captures an adult woman, presumed to be the mother, rushing from the driver’s side of the SUV. She swiftly picks up the toddler and places them back inside the vehicle before driving off, the scene leaving viewers in shock.
The incident was brought to the attention of police on Saturday after a witness provided critical information about the SUV. Acting on this lead, officers tracked the vehicle to a residence in La Habra. There, they discovered the SUV in question, along with the child and a woman believed to be the one seen in the viral video.
A witness called police on Saturday and provided identifying information about the vehicle. Officers traced the SUV to a home in La Habra, where they located the vehicle, the child and a suspect believed to be the woman seen in the video.
A car following the SUV narrowly avoided hitting the child and SUV. (Fullerton Police Department)
Police identified the child as a 19-month-old who suffered injuries consistent with the fall. The toddler was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.
The suspect was identified as Jacqueline Hernandez, 35, of La Habra, and the child’s mother. She was arrested and booked into the Fullerton City Jail for felony child abuse, police said.
The child’s mother, identified as Jacqueline Hernandez, 35, of La Habra, picks the child up from the road. Hernandez was later arrested and charged with felony child abuse, police said. (Fullerton Police Department)
Neighbors told FOX11 Los Angeles that the family has several children and could not believe the mother would put her children in such a dangerous situation.
“I can’t excuse something like that, I’m sorry,” a neighbor who wished to remain anonymous told the local station.
Investigators believe the incident occurred between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Jan. 20. Police said they did not receive any emergency calls related to the incident at the time.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police are asking anyone with additional information to contact the Fullerton Police Department’s Sensitive Crimes Unit.
