Sat. Oct 5th, 2024
A man was seen allegedly striking a child in the back seat of a truck in a video that went viral. The man was arrested on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. (Source: Screenshot - FOX 5 Atlanta)

GWINETTT COUNTY, Ga. — A man in Gwinnett County, Georgia was arrested and charged with first degree cruelty to children after a video went viral on social media, police say.

Video of the incident appears to show the man identified by FOX 5 Atlanta as 44-year-old James Collins of Snellville repeatedly hitting and yelling at someone in the back seat of his pickup truck in a grocery store parking lot.

The person Collins was hitting was a child who apparently had an “accident.” A bystander was recording the incident and called 911 as another woman nearby walked toward the man and intervened.

In the video, Collins can be seen yelling at the woman who stepped in and tells her “mind your own damn business, lady.”

Gwinnett County Police Department said on Saturday that Collins was arrested Friday and charged with first degree cruelty to children. Police said the child had minor injuries and was placed in the care of family members. The Department of Family and Child Services was also notified about the incident.

Collins was taken into custody at the Gwinnett County Jail and held on a $4,600 bond. Jail records show he was later released.

More on the viral video and arrest.