Woman Whose Toddler Tumbled From SUV Charged With Child Abuse

FULLERTON, CA — A 35-year-old Orange County woman whose 19-month-old tumbled from an SUV she was driving in Fullerton made her first appearance in court Thursday on misdemeanor child abuse charges.

Jacqueline Marie Hernandez of La Habra was charged Wednesday with the misdemeanor. Her arraignment in the North Justice Center in Fullerton was rescheduled for April 22.

Video of the incident has been posted on social media showing the child tumbling from the passenger side of a vehicle at North Euclid Street and West Malvern Avenue, according to Fullerton police. Investigators suspect it occurred between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Jan. 20, police said. The criminal complaint alleges it happened on Jan. 19.

The SUV's driver was turning east onto West Malvern from southbound Euclid when the passenger side door opens and the toddler falls out, police said. The driver immediately brakes and gets out to retrieve the child and drives away.

The child is expected to fully recover, police said.