SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A woman whose baby was seen in a viral video being slapped on the head is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on an unrelated domestic violence charge.
Jowi Morales, 18, was arrested Nov. 30 on an outstanding domestic violence warrant. Her arrest came more than 12 hours after a video showing her six-month-old child being slapped repeatedly was posted on Facebook and met with outrage on social media.
Users who saw the video, as well as photos of the child holding a knife, informed San Diego police, who then conducted a search for Morales and the baby.
As police looked for Morales and her baby, Morales spoke to 10News reporter Travis Rice via Facebook and said her child was "fine as far as I'm concerned."
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Morales also wrote that the baby was safe and "people are sending me threats."
Morales told Rice that the video showing the baby being slapped was taken at four weeks ago. When asked if it was her that struck her child in the clip, Morales responded: "Nope."
Rice asked who hit the baby and Morales sent a thumbs-up emoji and stopped responding.
Police eventually located Morales and arrested her. Her child was taken into protective custody.
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She posted $50,000 bail later that evening and was ordered to return to court the following week.
Police said they are still investigating the video and the allegations of child abuse.
Morales was not charged with any crime relating to the video.
