Police shared footage that captures a black SUV turning east onto W. Malvern Ave. from southbound N. Euclid St. As the SUV completes the turn, the front passenger door swings open, and a small child tumbles out, landing in the busy roadway.
The SUV’s wheels are seen to come dangerously close to the young child. It then stopped abruptly, nearly causing a collision with a vehicle behind it. The vehicles driving behind the SUV stopped short of hitting the child. An adult female was seen running around the back of the SUV from the driver’s side, picking up the child, and returning to the vehicle before the video ended.
The department said a witness came forward on Jan. 24, reporting they had observed the incident and provided identifying information about the vehicle involved. After a follow-up investigation, police officers traced the SUV to a residence in the City of La Habra. The SUV, the child, and the female seen in the video were located.
Police identified the child as a 19-month-old toddler who sustained injuries consistent with the fall and was then transported to an area hospital for treatment. The department said the child is expected to make a full recovery.
Hernandez, a 35-year-old La Habra resident and the child’s mother, was placed under arrest. She was booked at the Fullerton City Jail for felony child abuse, police said.
Police believe the incident occurred on Jan. 20, 2026, between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., and noted that the department did not receive any calls for service related to the incident at the time it occurred. The police learned of the incident after the video spread online.
The Fullerton Police Department said that the investigation is ongoing and requested that anyone with further details or video footage come forward. Those with information are encouraged to contact the Sensitive Crimes Unit at (714) 738-6782 or [email protected].
Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or visit www.p3tips.com/913.
