Video displaying child being slapped prompts police to arrest mom

SAN DIEGO – A San Diego mom of a 6-month-old child has been arrested after a viral Facebook video appeared to indicate the newborn being slapped and abused by an unknown individual.

San Diego police mentioned there was additionally a photograph posted that confirmed the newborn holding a pocket knife with an open blade.

Police arrested 18-year-old Jowi Victoria Morales at a house on South Pardee Street in Mountain View, in accordance with SDPD Lt. Scott Wahl. She was booked at Las Colina Women’s Facility on excellent home violence expenses and was later launched after posting bail.

The child was discovered secure and unhurt and was taken into protecting custody round 1:15 p.m., in accordance with Wahl. Child abuse detectives had been working to find out who was proven hitting the toddler within the video.

Ashley Butcher mentioned she was shocked when she noticed the video on Facebook shortly after midnight Thursday.

“My head was spinning around in circles,” Butcher mentioned. “I was mad. I was infuriated. I was asking myself, why would a mother do this to her child, especially a child so small and defenseless?”

Butcher instantly rallied her buddies to alert authorities and FOX 5.

“It was just a big group of girls trying to figure out what is happening, where is this girl,” Butcher mentioned. “We just wanted her to get the baby safe.”

After hours of analysis and persuasion, Butcher was in a position to get in contact with Morales by way of Facetime.

“I just wanted to talk to her to make her come to her senses, to turn herself in and do what’s best for the baby,” Butcher mentioned.