A Texas man, aged 25, is currently under scrutiny for allegedly using an infant, just three months old, to remove snow from a car, in an attempt to gain popularity on the social media platform, TikTok. The incident took place during a recent winter storm that blanketed the state in snow. The Port Arthur Police Department, in conjunction with Child Protective Services, launched an investigation into the matter after the video was discovered online, as reported by local affiliates KBMT.
Authorities are in the process of obtaining an arrest warrant for the man, who faces potential charges of child endangerment. The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office could potentially issue the warrant as early as this week. The video is part of a concerning trend on social media, where parents involve their young children in potentially dangerous stunts in a bid for likes and laughs.
The video depicted the man using the baby to clear snow from a car’s windshield. Port Arthur Police Chief Tim Duriso voiced his concern over the incident, stating that using a baby in such a way is no laughing matter. He stressed that the pursuit of social media fame should not compromise a child’s safety.
Upon discovering the video, police conducted a welfare check on the child. They found that the man was not alone during the incident. Two women were also present, one of whom is believed to be the child’s mother. Duriso confirmed that the baby was not harmed.
The potential legal consequences for the two women present during the incident are yet to be determined. The video has since been removed from TikTok. Port Arthur is situated approximately 90 miles east of Houston, near the Texas-Louisiana border.