Man Punches Toddler In Face, Arrest Made (RAW VIDEO)

RAW VIDEO: Man Punches Toddler In Face, Arrest Made

An arrest has been made after video surfaced of a man punching a toddler in the face.

Bakersfield resident Justin Whittington, 23, was arrested early Friday morning on charges of child assault and child endangerment, according to online records.

Surveillance video of the incident at Vest Market was first posted to Facebook Thursday, ABC 23 reports.

Despite the title of the video, the nature of Whittington's relationship to the boy is not yet known.

WARNING: Disturbing video

In the video, a toddler can be seen running down the aisles of the store. A man who police later identified as Whittington chases after the child, who appears to instinctively put his hands up before being punched in the face and knocked to the floor.

The suspect then yanks the child up by the arm before a woman escorts the toddler out of the store as the boy, whose age has not been released, holds his face and cries.

Authorities said the toddler was examined by paramedics and is doing well, according to ABC 7.

A call to the Kern County Sheriff's office was not immediately returned.

Whittington is currently being held on a $1 million bail. His next court appearance is next Monday.

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