PONTIAC (WWJ) — The Oakland County Sheriff said they arrested a man who was caught on camera in a viral TikTok video abusing a child.
The Sheriff’s Office told WWJ a good samaritan saw the video and forwarded it to them via email.
The video shows a man, identified as John Hanley III, 25, of Flint, “verbally disciplining a minor child under the age of five for kicking dirt while standing in line at a food truck,” the sheriff said in a statement.
“Seconds later,” the statement continues, “the male is seen dragging the child by the arm through the parking lot at which time…(he) aggressively strikes the child.”
Further investigation revealed the incident happened on Perry Street (1200 block) near Montcalm, which investigators determined through the video that was sent to them. They were also able to obtain additional security footage which helped them identify the store in the foreground.
Investigators found Hanley via social media, according to the sheriff’s office. He was taken into custody on Friday.
“The actions depicted in this video are abhorrent,” Sheriff Mike Bouchard said. “Seeing a grown man strike a toddler in the face, decking him to the ground is extremely disturbing. Violence of this nature, when it involves children, will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
Deputies conducted a welfare check on the child in the video. No information has been released about the suspect's relationship to the child.
Hanley is charged with fourth degree child abuse. He was arraigned Saturday and will be held on a $20,000 bond.
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