NJ Mom Kicks Baby Daughter Across Walmart Floor After Being Caught Shoplifting

A 23-year-old mother who was caught shoplifting at a Walmart in Bergen County, New Jersey, intentionally kicked her baby across the floor while being taken into custody Tuesday, police said.

Jamira McDaniel, of Paterson, New Jersey, was caught stealing at the store by Walmart theft protection personnel Tuesday, Moonachie Police Lt. Jeff Napolitano told New Jersey 101.5. It is unclear what she stole.

McDaniel was with her 1-year-old daughter and the child's aunt at the Route 46 store in Teterboro.

When Walmart asset protection office personnel escorted McDaniel to the store's security office, the mother reportedly "placed the child down in front of her and kicked the baby in the back," Napolitano said. The baby girl flew across the floor and into the security office.

The theft protection workers picked up the child, handed her to McDaniel's sister and called the police.

According to Napolitano, the child was inconsolable and couldn't stop crying, the Daily Voice reported.

The incident was caught on security cameras, according to police. Napolitano said the video of the kick was given to the Bergen County court but was not yet publicly available.

"McDaniel, upset by the girl who was now screaming and crying while being held by her aunt, began punching walls and yelling for the baby to stop crying," Napolitano continued. "McDaniel also grabbed the baby and began to shake her while she was being held by her aunt."

Moonachie police soon responded to the store and immediately called an ambulance to check on the baby.

Responding officers Victor Migliorino and Jonathan Surak were disturbed by what they saw on the video footage, the Daily Voice report said. Still, they stayed calm and took McDaniel into custody, the lieutenant said.

First responders examined the baby and found no injuries.

McDaniel was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, assault, shoplifting and criminal mischief, according to Napolitano.

She was transported to Bergen County jail and remained held as of Wednesday.

The aunt was not charged, and the child was given to family members.

McDaniel's first appearance at the Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack is still pending as of this writing.