A Snellville man was arrested and charged with cruelty to children after being caught on camera striking a three-year-old in a Lilburn parking lot.
The suspect, identified as 44-year-old James Collins, was taken into custody by the Gwinnett County Police Department on Saturday and booked into the Gwinnett County Jail.
The incident, which gained attention after a video went viral, took place at the Kroger on 3050 Five Forks Trickum Road in Lilburn. In the video, Collins is seen telling the toddler in a car to ‘shut up’ before repeatedly hitting the child. A witness confronted Collins after seeing the incident.
Police used surveillance footage to help identify Collins. The child, who sustained minor injuries, is now in the care of a family member.
The Department of Family and Child Services has been notified of the incident.
