US police arrest mother after video shows toddler falling from moving SUV at California intersection
A mother has been arrested in Fullerton after a video showed a toddler falling from a moving SUV at an intersection. Police said the child was injured but is expected to recover, while prosecutors review potential charges.
- Police in Fullerton arrested a mother after a video showed her toddler falling from a moving SUV at an intersection.
- The 19-month-old child suffered injuries consistent with the fall but is expected to recover fully.
- Prosecutors are reviewing the case, with no formal charges filed as investigations continue.
UNITED STATES: Police in Fullerton have arrested a woman after video footage circulating on social media showed a toddler falling from the passenger side of a moving vehicle at a city intersection, authorities said.
The Fullerton Police Department said the footage showed a black SUV turning onto West Malvern Avenue from North Euclid Street when the front passenger door opened, causing a small child to fall onto the roadway.
According to the police department, the SUV stopped abruptly after the child fell, nearly causing a collision with a vehicle travelling behind it. An adult woman was then seen exiting from the driver’s side.
“The SUV immediately stops, nearly causing a traffic collision with the vehicle behind it,” the department said in a statement posted on Instagram, describing the sequence shown in the video.
Police added that the woman picked up the child from the road and returned to the vehicle before the footage ended. The incident was believed to have occurred between 8.00 a.m. and 9.00 a.m. on 20 January, 2026.
Authorities said no emergency calls were received at the time of the incident, and officers were not initially aware of the situation until the video began circulating online several days later.
On 24 January, a witness contacted police after recognising the vehicle in the video and provided identifying information. Investigators said this tip allowed them to begin tracing the SUV involved.
Following further investigation, officers located the vehicle at a residence in the nearby city of La Habra. Police also found the child and the woman seen in the footage at the same address.
The woman was identified as Jacqueline Hernandez, a 35-year-old resident of La Habra and the child’s mother. She was arrested and booked into Fullerton City Jail on suspicion of felony child abuse, police said.
Authorities stated that the child, aged 19 months, suffered injuries consistent with the fall from the vehicle. The child was taken to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.
Police did not specify the nature of the injuries but said they were not believed to be life-threatening. No additional children were reported to be involved in the incident.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office said formal charges have not yet been filed and that the case remains under review. The office confirmed that Hernandez was released on bond.
According to the district attorney’s office, it remains unclear whether Hernandez has retained legal representation. Prosecutors said they are continuing to assess evidence gathered by police.
The Fullerton Police Department said the investigation is ongoing and appealed for additional witnesses or information related to the incident.
