JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 29-year-old man was arrested and accused of child abuse Wednesday, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
The arrest came after a video of a man hitting a child inside a home was circulating on social media earlier in the week.
“A video shared online has brought to light a distressing case of a Child Abuse incident. It underscores the importance of speaking up when we witness wrongdoing,” JSO wrote on Facebook.
On Monday, police received a call from a woman reporting a child abuse incident involving the suspect identified as Tracy Williams, according to his arrest report.
That woman also said she and Williams engaged in a physical fight a few days prior, and she had since relocated to a safe place.
Once officers got the report, they tried to locate Williams and eventually found him Wednesday at an apartment complex.
JSO said they had to send in a K-9 to help find Williams after he refused to come out. Officers quickly arrested Williams once he was spotted by the K-9.
JSO officers also spoke with the child in the investigation who didn’t show any visible injuries, according to the arrest report.
Williams is now facing charges of aggravated child abuse and resisting police. He is being held in the Duval County jail on a $250,000 bond.
His next court date is set for May 19.