A New Jersey mother is in jail after a video of her allegedly abusing an infant began circulating on social media. The mother in question, Vivian M. Harrell, 37, allegedly covered the 8-week-old baby's mouth, pushed its head, and spoke to the baby with vulgar language.
Multiple witnesses called the Trenton Police Department, and Harrell was ultimately arrested.
Sadly, it appears Harrell is the mother of multiple children who, according to comments online, did not feel loved by their mother. It was unclear if the baby in the video belonged to Harrell, but she was charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
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Police reportedly learned about the disturbing video on May 15.
It is unclear when the video was filmed or began circulating online, but Trenton Police explained in a news release that they received multiple calls about Harrell's allegedly disturbing behavior and began their investigation.
Police said Harrell allegedly covered the infant's face, potentially blocking its airway while using vulgar language and pushing the 8-week-old infant's head to the side. The video prompted the Special Victims Unit's investigation, which ultimately led to Harrell's arrest.
Some who claim to know Harrell didn't have nice things to say about her.
Zitrena Fair, who identified herself as Harrell's cousin, commented on a Newsbreak story alleging that Harrell acted out of a need for attention.
"This is my cousin, my baby cousin. I pray that Allah talked vengeance on her. She not having postpartum depression, she's trying to seek the attention of the child's father. Every single one of her children she has told the hospital she do not want them," she wrote. "She is a non-maternal person. My grandmother took care of her children. She deserves a lot and the justice system will give to her. This is not the face of postpartum depression. Please do not be fooled."
Another woman shared disgusting photos.
Lisa Griffin commented on the MidJersey.news Facebook page, claiming that Harrell is the sister of her son-in-law and shared images allegedly taken inside the woman's home. The residence appears to be in disarray and covered in filth and what looks like feces all over the floor. Griffin wrote that the mother needs to "burn in h—."
One friend seemed to defend Harrell.
Laquana Hardee asked Griffin not to judge Harrell so harshly as she doesn't think the woman has all the details.
She wrote, "PLEASE DONT SAY THAT SOMETHING HAS TO BE WRONG SHE IS NOT LIKE THIS IN REAL LIFE AT ALL HER DAUGHTER AND MY DAUGHTER ARE FRIENDS SHE HAS EVEN HELPED ME WHEN I NEEDED HELP THERE IS NO WAY SHE HAS TAKEN MY KIDS ON TRIPS WITH HER CHILDREN AND ALL SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE IT HAS TO BE ME AND THIS WOMAN TALKS AND MORE I HAVENT BEEN AROUND HER FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS DUE TO SOME THINGS HAPPENING TO ME BUT SHE IS THE SWEETEST WOMAN TO HER BABIES BROOO IM SO LOST WITH THIS VIDEO HERE."
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Griffin clapped back.
The woman was not interested in Hardee's words and claimed she knows the truth.
"Behind closed doors and the mask we all wear every day you never know what a person is doing or how they react to things that may stress them," she wrote in her Facebook comment. "Also keep in mind with the texts and her actions it's very hard to have empathy for her. Even her brother is like now she's going to get what she deserves for being the person she is."
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
