KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) says it has located a toddler who was being verbally and psychologically abused in a video that has gone viral on social media.

In the video, the female toddler stares into the camera as a woman is heard hurling insults at her. The woman, believed to be the child’s mother, at one point, threatens to physically harm the child if she isn’t taken away.

In a statement on Tuesday, the CPFSA, said it is “deeply distressed” by the video and have intervened in the child’s best interest.

“We have located the child in the video, as well as the mother.  The child has been placed with a next of kin as we prepare to bring the matter before the court,” Chief Executive Officer of the CPFSA Laurette Adams-Thomas said.

“It was deeply distressing and disheartening to witness an adult, in this case the child’s mother, verbally and psychologically abusing the child. Psychological abuse is often not addressed with the same seriousness as other forms of abuse such as physical or sexual abuse, but it can leave long-lasting scars which can affect them into adulthood,” the agency said.

Outlining that such abuse can lead to negative outcomes such as impaired social, emotional and cognitive development, the CPFSA said psychological abuse can be “extremely destructive and has been associated with a range of adverse child outcomes including emotional maladjustment, behavioural problems, poor self-esteem and under achievement.”

Adams-Thomas further sought to remind and encourage individuals to report any and all forms of child abuse using the 24- hour child abuse reporting hotline 211. Child abuse reports may also be made through WhatsApp/text at 876-878-2882, e-mail report@childprotection.gov.jm or by visiting any CPFSA parish office, or through our social media pages (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) @cpfsajm.