Video footage of a babysitter in Vietnam’s Central Highlands physically abusing a young boy went viral on social media this week, prompting an investigation by local authorities.

Huynh Ngoc Anh, director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs in Dak Nong Province, confirmed on Wednesday evening that a probe into the case is underway.

According to preliminary information, the suspect is Pham Thi Van, 63, a resident of Dak R’lap District. 

The victim is two-year-old D.D.M.D..

The incident occurred Wednesday morning when a man visiting a friend in the neighborhood saw the woman abusing the child in the yard next door and chose to film the situation and upload it to Facebook.

The one-minute long video shows Van using a wooden stick, with one end covered by a wet piece of cloth, to rub violently against D.’s crotch, genital area, and back, assumedly giving him a bath.

She also lifted the kid by grabbing his shirt and occasionally hitting him in the face and head.

“Officers have reviewed the footage and summoned the woman for questioning,” Anh said.

Van also babysits several other young children in the locale, the official added.

According to Do Dac Duong, D.’s father, several scratches were found on his son’s back and redness in his crotch.

Van has been taking care of the child since August 2016 for VND1 million (US$44) a month, Duong said, adding that he placed his trust in the woman because she babysits other neighborhood children.

D.’s is the second child of Duong and his wife, who is sick and being treated far away from home.

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