Toddler Falls from Moving Car in California, Mother Arrested

Video shows 19-month-old child tumbling onto busy road, prompting felony child abuse charges against driver

Jan. 29, 2026 at 8:39am

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A 35-year-old mother has been arrested and charged with felony child abuse after a video showed her 19-month-old toddler falling out of a moving SUV at an intersection in Fullerton, California. The child sustained injuries but is expected to fully recover. Police located the vehicle, mother, and child after a witness reported the incident.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the importance of proper child restraint and safety measures in vehicles, as well as the legal consequences that can arise from negligence that endangers a child's wellbeing. It also raises questions about how to prevent such accidents and ensure the safety of young passengers on the road.

The details

The video, shared on social media, shows the toddler falling out of the passenger side of an SUV as the vehicle makes a turn at an intersection. The SUV immediately stops, nearly causing a collision with the car behind it. The mother is then seen running from the driver's side to pick up the child and put them back in the vehicle before driving away.

  • The incident is believed to have occurred between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. on January 20, 2026.
  • The witness reported the incident to police on Saturday.

The players

Jacqueline Hernandez

A 35-year-old mother who was arrested and charged with felony child abuse after the incident.

19-month-old toddler

The child who fell out of the moving vehicle and sustained injuries, but is expected to fully recover.

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What they’re saying

“In the video, a black SUV is seen making an eastbound turn onto W. Malvern Ave. from southbound N. Euclid St. As the vehicle enters the intersection and completes the turn, the front passenger door opens and a small child falls to the ground and into the roadway.”

— Fullerton Police Department

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Jacqueline Hernandez to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the critical need for proper child restraint and safety measures in vehicles to prevent such accidents and protect young passengers. It also highlights the legal consequences that can arise from negligence that endangers a child's wellbeing.