A woman in California was arrested after police became aware of a viral video that appeared to show her 19-month-old toddler falling out of the front door of her moving car and nearly being run over.
According to a news release issued by the Fullerton Police Department, 35-year-old Jacqueline Hernandez was arrested and taken to the Fullerton City Jail on suspicion of felony child abuse after the incident, which is thought to have taken place between 8 and 9 a.m. on January 20.
A witness came forward on Saturday (January 24) to provide evidence about the incident.
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Per the news release, the incident is believed to have taken place at the intersection of N. Euclid St. and W. Malvern Ave in Fullerton. A video of the moment was circulating social media.
In it, a toddler appears to fall from the front seat of a black SUV as it executed a turn onto W. Malvern Ave. The toddler, who has not been named, hit the ground and was nearly run over by the black SUV, which came to an abrupt stop.
A light-colored car immediately behind the SUV slammed to a stop, also coming close to hitting the child. As it did, a woman appeared to run from the front seat of the SUV to pick up the child.
After doing so, she got back into the front seat of the car before the video ended.
“On January 24, 2026, a witness came forward and reported observing the incident. The witness was able to provide identifying information related to the vehicle involved,” authorities stated in the press release. “Officers conducted a follow-up investigation, which led them to a residence in the City of La Habra. Officers located the vehicle, the child, and the female involved in the incident seen in the video.”
Authorities stated that the child was treated at the hospital for “injuries consistent with the fall.” However, they are “expected to make a full recovery.”
“The Fullerton Police Department did not receive any calls for service related to this incident and is seeking additional witnesses,” the statement continued, asking for witnesses to contact the Fullerton Police Department’s Sensitive Crimes Unit, Detective H. Rios, at (714) 738-6782 or hrios@fullertonpd.org.
Just Jared reached out to the Fullerton Police Department for any updates on the investigation but did not hear back at the time of publication.