A 21-year-old Ohio mother was arrested last week after “a disturbing video” went viral, showing her screaming at and hitting her months-old baby in his crib.
The video was shot by the child’s father, who posted it to social media, WHIO reported.
“It was one of those things that literally went viral for all the wrong reasons. we started getting phone calls, from as far away that I know of from at least Texas,” Montgomery County Chief Deputy Matt Haines said.
“Disturbing is the only word that probably is appropriate.” Haines said.
Investigators did not provide the child’s age but said he was less than a year old.
Haley Ryan was arrested on Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said, adding that the baby boy “is safe and in the custody of Children’s Services.”
Ryan is charged with one count of endangering children and is being held on a $25,000 bond, Law&Crime reported. She remains behind bars on Monday and must wear a GPS monitor if she is released.
In the video, Ryan is seen bending over a crib loudly screaming at the baby inside before slapping or hitting at the baby inside the crib over and over.
According to Law&Crime, the footage “is hectic and blurry” and is unclear if she actually made contact with the child in the crib. At the end of the video, she storms away. and the person with the cell phone camera goes to check on the baby.
The incident took place in Hamilton Township a few days before the father posted the video online. Haines said investigators were working to determine if anyone else should face charges.
