Florida mom Tya Posley has been arrested for child abuse after police announced she was seen in a viral video striking her 1-year-old child in the face while spewing profanities at her.
Police hauled off the 23-year-old Sanford native to the Seminole County Jail on Tuesday, April 26, after the "disturbing" video circulated on the social media platform Instagram.
In the short clip, which appears to no longer be viewable, a woman, who is believed to be Posley, yelled and pointed at her daughter. The New York Post reported that Posley could be heard screaming in the video, "Your daddy wants to post sh-, right? He want to f-ing post sh- and not answer the God d-n phone! I hate your a-!"
Viral video shows Tya Posley slapping the baby in her face and back
The suspect then struck the crying girl on what appeared to be her back and face before the viral video cut out. The Sanford Police Department said that officers were made aware of the video on Tuesday morning and were able to identify the adult and child in the footage. The video evidence led authorities to a welfare check at the Windchase Apartment complex.
The police officer who performed an initial welfare check at the home of Posley did not see any bruises or marks on the young girl, and Posley denied hitting the baby. WESH reported that minutes after the cops' visit, they received the video of the abuse, leading to Posley's arrest.
Police said that it was determined through the investigation that Posley was the person seen in the video striking the baby. When the cops interviewed Posley, she allegedly denied hitting her young child. Detectives, however, revealed that they were told that the child abuse had been going on for a year.
Posley arrested on a felony count of cruelty towards a child/abuse
Posley was arrested by police on a felony count of cruelty towards a child/abuse. Posley's daughter was also removed from her custody by Child Protective Services. Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith issued a statement about Posley's arrest, saying, "The video showing what this helpless infant endured is both gut-wrenching and infuriating. Though social media often brings about many challenges, today is a day I am grateful for it as it brought forth swift relief and protection for this young child."
Smith gave thanks to the many citizens who saw the video and immediately alerted the police of the abuse. He added that they may very well have saved this infant's life. Posley was later released from jail after she posted a $2,000 bond. A woman who claimed to be Posley posted a message on Facebook on Wednesday, writing that her daughter is now back with her and that she is looking to put her young child up for adoption.
According to Fox News, authorities have asked anyone with information about the child abuse incident to contact the Sanford Police Department or Crimeline at 800 423-TIPS (8477).
