Mom not facing charges for baby slapping video on Facebook
SAN DIEGO, California (KTRK) -- The mother of a six-month old baby, seen in a viral video being repeatedly slapped on the head, posted bail Thursday night on unrelated charges.
In the post, a video clip shows a person's hand striking a baby's head three times, leading to the child crying. The post also includes two images showing a child holding a knife.
Shortly after the video was posted, police said they received multiple calls from people concerned about the post and the suicidal threats made by the child's mother, Jowi Morales.
Morales, 18, texted with KGTV reporter Travis Rice via Facebook before police arrested her Thursday afternoon.
When Rice asked Morales how the baby was, she responded the baby was "fine as far as I'm concerned."
Morales wrote that the baby was safe and "people are sending me threats."
At the time, police were trying to locate Morales and the child.
Rice urged Morales to turn herself in, but Morales wrote, "And arrest me? I'd rather not go to jail."
She said the video was taken four weeks ago.
When Rice asked Morales if it was her hitting the baby in the video, she replied, "Nope."
Rice asked who hit the baby and Morales sent a thumbs-up emoji and quit responding.
Morales was arrested on an outstanding domestic violence warrant, San Diego police said. Her bail was listed as $50,000.
Police said they are still investigating the video and the allegations of child abuse and Morales was not charged with any crime relating to the video.
