Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
Released Video Footage Shows Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy Punched Woman In The Face While She Held Baby
L.A. County sheriff's officials released body cam footage of a Palmdale arrest.
(
Courtesy LASD YouTube
)
Exactly a year ago, a Los Angeles sheriff's deputy punched a mother in the face while she was holding her infant during a traffic stop in Palmdale. The body camera video was released Wednesday.
What we know
During a news conference Wednesday, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said that the use of force is being investigated by the Internal Affairs Bureau, including the Los Angeles FBI Office.
"I found the punching of the woman in these circumstances, completely unacceptable," said Luna.
Sponsored message
While this arrest happened during former Sheriff Alex Villanueva's tenure, Luna said he took "swift action" to release the body camera footage.
About the arrest
Deputies had pulled over a car for driving without headlights at midnight and allegedly found that the driver was intoxicated and driving with a suspended license. Also in the car were four women, three of them carrying their infant children in their arms without a carseat. Deputies arrested the women, but when one refused to let go of her child, the deputy punched her twice in the face.
"We believe that the actions of one individual are problematic," said Luna.
Officials react
L.A., County Board of Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Palmdale, called the video "gut-wrenching."
Sponsored message
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass called the actions an abuse of power and said that the events the mother and child went through could result in lifelong trauma.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
