LILBURN, GA – A man in Gwinnett County, Georgia, is now in police custody following an incidence of child cruelty that was caught on video outside a Kroger grocery store in Lilburn. The video depicts James Collins, a 44-year-old man from Snellville, repeatedly hitting and yelling at a small child in the back seat of his vehicle. The video of the abuse has been shared thousands of times since the incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon.
Witnesses report that Collins hit the child, who appeared to be around three years old, numerous times after the child had allegedly had an “accident.” The video also records Collins yelling at the child, “Didn’t I say shut up? You ain’t getting no d-mn car. Shut up. Boy, I said shut your a– up.” Concerned bystanders recorded the incident and called 911. One shopper attempted to intervene, but Collins began yelling at her, telling her to mind her own business.
Local residents and frequent customers of the Kroger store expressed their shock and concern over the incident. Amanda Martin said that the video, which she saw on Facebook, was “completely heartbreaking.” Another mother, Lizz Shaw, stated she believed Collins should be incarcerated, citing the pain it caused her to watch the video.
On Saturday, Gwinnett County police acknowledged awareness of the video and revealed that Collins had been taken into custody and charged with first-degree cruelty to children.
The child, who sustained minor injuries, is currently being looked after by family members. The Department of Family and Child Services has been notified of the situation. Collins remains detained at the Gwinnett County Jail.