ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Two people were arrested Thursday after deputies said community members contacted them about videos of child abuse being posted on social media.
Justin Nickolai, 32, and Kimberly Hunt, 30, are both facing charges related to child abuse.
Deputies said they were contacted about a video posted on social media that showed a child sleeping outside with no clothing and covered by a towel being laughed at and made fun of, and another video of a child being slapped and knocked to the ground.
Deputies said the force of the slap “goes beyond reasonable corporal punishment” and that the act could “potentially inflict physical or mental injury on the child.”
“We are very grateful that people saw this video and brought it to our attention,” deputies said.
Nickolai is facing one charge of child abuse, and Hunt is facing charges of failure to report child abuse and neglect of a child.
Deputies said seven children live in the home where the couple were arrested and that the Department of Children and Families has been contacted.
Deputies said detectives are still working hard to see whether there might be additional charges filed.
Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates.
Many of you reached out about a video on social media depicting alleged #abuse of a child. Thank you!
— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) September 3, 2020
Our deputies responded, investigated & 2 arrests were made. Justin Nickolai, 32; one charge of Child Abuse. Kimberly Hunt, 30; Failure to Report Child Abuse & Neglect of a Child pic.twitter.com/2R7lCLvtp8
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