A New Jersey woman was arrested at a Teterboro Walmart for shoplifting and endangering the welfare of a child after kicking and shaking her child Tuesday, according to the Moonachie Police Department.
At around 7 p.m., protection personnel at the retail giant caught Jamira McDaniel, 23, stealing goods from the store. According to Moonachie Police Lt. Jeff Napolitano, she was with her 1-year-old daughter and sister at the time of the incident. She was confronted and escorted to the security office, where she attacked her daughter and kicked her in the back. Officers restrained the woman and gave the toddler to McDaniel’s sister while they waited for police to arrive.
While waiting for police, according to police reports, the suspect grew visibly frustrated and began screaming and punching the walls because her child was crying. She then proceeded to grab and shake the baby violently while in her aunt’s arms. Upon arrival, police assessed the child for injuries and found she was uninjured, said Napolitano.
McDaniel was arrested, detained and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, assault, shoplifting, and criminal mischief. The child was turned over to family members and the aunt was not charged.
McDaniel was incarcerated at the Bergen County Jail where she remained until the following day. Walmart released video of the incident to the Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court, which will use it as evidence in McDaniel’s detention hearing.
According to Child Welfare Information Gateway, child abuse involves “any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.”
This form of child abuse and neglect typically refers to parents and caregivers who care for a child under 18 or who “is not an emancipated minor.”
If you or someone you know faces abuse, call 1.800.4.A.CHILD Professional crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls are confidential.
