Two Florida women were arrested in Daytona Beach last week after they were seen allegedly throwing a baby back and forth outside of a bar. Brianna Lafoe, 19, and Sierrah Newell, 20, were charged with child abuse, with Lafoe also facing a misdemeanor battery charge, per the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
- The women were handling the baby “like a toy.” Witnesses told police that they spotted Lafoe and Newell throwing the baby into the air, flipping him over, and handling him “like a toy” outside the Coyote Ugly Saloon just after midnight.
- One witness even caught the behavior on camera. An unnamed witness is said to have taken a video on their phone of the women’s behavior. At one point, they realized they were being filmed and came over to stop the witness while holding the baby by his ankles, according to WOFL-TV. Lafoe then hit the witness, while Newell, who was using crutches, was “threatening to hit bystanders.”
- The video showed exactly what the women were up to. Police say that the video taken by the witness showed Newell swinging the baby up and down roughly. At another point, Newell held the baby upside down and shook him over the pavement.
- The baby was taken to a local hospital for examination. News outlets say that x-rays showed a possibly broken arm, though he has since been released from the hospital. It’s unclear what the baby’s relationship is to Brianna Lafoe and Sierrah Newell.
- Both women are being held without bond. According to WESH 2 News, it’s unclear whether either woman has been given an attorney or if they’ve faced a judge to enter a plea.
