Mother sentenced for child abuse after pulling toddler's hair on live stream

MARINETTE (WLUK) -- A mother who pulled the hair of her 2-year-old son while live streaming on social media was sentenced for child abuse.

Natasha Hunt, 24, previously pleaded guilty to child abuse - intentionally causing harm. A disorderly conduct count was dismissed.

Online court records show she was sentenced to one year in jail and three years on probation. A two-year prison sentence was stayed, meaning she will not have to serve time unless she violates terms of her probation.

A second person charged in the case, Amara Burns, was convicted of battery to a police officer for kicking an officer during her arrest. She was placed on probation.

According to the criminal complaint, when Niagara police first asked the two, both denied posting any video or having knowledge of any abuse. The boy showed no signs of injury and told police he was not injured.

Police then reviewed the video from the Aug. 24, 2023 incident at a home in Niagara. According to the criminal complaint:

"In the video, Natasha approached Amara and (the victim). Natasha grabbed (the victim) by the hair and began to pull violently, Natasha was pulling (the victim)'s head in multiple directions. Natasha was looking at the camera with an angry look on her face. (the victim) was saying "OW" repeatedly and began to cry. Amara put up both of her hands. Amara did not appear to assist in the pulling of the hair besides holding (the victim) onto her lap while Natasha committed the physical pain to (the victim). Amara did not make any attempt to stop Natasha. For a brief moment, Natasha stopped pulling (the victim)'s hair. Then she began pulling (the victim)'s hair again to the point that she pulled (the victim) off Amara's lap and out of the picture. I could hear (the victim) saying "OW" and crying. You can see Natasha moving around as if she was still pulling (the victim)'s hair. Amara looked in the direction of where this incident was occurring and looked back at the camera smiling. She again made no attempt to stop Natasha from harming (the victim)," the complaint states.