A mother was arrested on a felony child abuse charge after video showed her 19-month-old child falling from a moving SUV in California, according to authorities.
The Fullerton Police Department on Monday identified the woman as 35-year-old Jacqueline Hernandez, of La Habra.
In the footage, which police shared on social media, the toddler is seen falling from the passenger side of a black SUV as it was making a turn at a busy intersection.
“As the vehicle enters the intersection and completes the turn, the front passenger door opens and a small child falls to the ground and into the roadway,” police noted on Facebook.
“The SUV immediately stops, nearly causing a traffic collision with the vehicle behind it. An adult female is then seen running from the driver’s side of the SUV, picking up the child, and returning to the vehicle before the video ends,” police added.
The department said the toddler “sustained injuries consistent with the fall” and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The child is expected to make a full recovery, police said.
Police said officers became aware of the incident after the video began circulating online, adding that investigators believe the incident happened on January 20 between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Authorities said a witness came forward on Saturday and helped police identify the SUV.
“Officers conducted a follow-up investigation, which led them to a residence in the City of La Habra,” police said. “Officers located the vehicle, the child, and the female involved in the incident seen in the video.”
Police said the department is urging more witnesses to come forward, as the investigation remains ongoing.
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Anyone with information was encouraged to contact the Fullerton Police Department’s Sensitive Crimes Unit, Detective H. Rios, at 714-738-6782 or hrios@fullertonpd.org. Witnesses who want to remain anonymous should contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS or visit p3tips.com.
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