A video that circulated widely on social media led to the arrest of an Orange County woman accused of endangering the life of her 19-month-old child after the toddler was thrown from a moving vehicle at a busy intersection in Southern California, authorities said.

 

The footage captures the moment a black SUV makes an eastbound turn at the intersection of West Malvern Avenue and North Euclid Street in Fullerton, when the front passenger door suddenly opens and the child falls onto the roadway, sliding across the asphalt.

 

Moments later, the SUV comes to an abrupt stop, forcing the driver of a sedan traveling behind it to slam on the brakes and stop just inches from the child. The video shows a woman quickly exiting the SUV, picking up the toddler, and returning to the vehicle.

 

 

The woman was later identified as Jacqueline Hernandez, 35, of La Habra. According to the Fullerton Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department inmate information system, she was arrested and booked into the Fullerton City Jail on Sunday.

 

The toddler sustained injuries consistent with the fall and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Authorities said the child is expected to make a full recovery.

 

Although police did not receive any emergency calls at the time of the incident — believed to have occurred between 8 and 9 a.m. Tuesday — the video garnered millions of views online, prompting an investigation.

 

The case advanced after a witness came forward with key information to help identify the vehicle. 

 

Investigators were then led to a residence in La Habra, where they located the woman, the toddler, and the SUV seen in the video.

 

Authorities continue to investigate and are asking anyone who witnessed the incident to contact police.