Stockton police respond to viral video of child custody dispute

Stockton police addressed an online video showing officers during a family welfare check. The department issued a public statement after the footage gained more than two million views across social media platforms.

The video was posted on Instagram on Friday. It shows officers beside a black car in a residential area. A man carries a kicking child inside the vehicle and drives away.

The Stockton Police Department posted a news release on social media on Sunday morning. Officials said the footage captures only a small part of a nearly two-hour response.

Police said the incident involved a custody-related dispute between the father and aunt of a 9-year-old girl. Officers in Stockton responded to the scene around 9:30 a.m. Friday.

The father holds full legal custody of his daughter, according to police. He let her stay with relatives. He went to pick her up after learning she was missing school.

An altercation occurred between the father and the aunt before officers arrived. The child tried to exit the vehicle as the door closed. Police body-camera footage showed the door hitting her shoes.

“The video posted to social media … does not depict the entirety of the circumstances during the incident,” the department said in the release.

Officers conducted a welfare check at the father’s home on Friday night. They found the child unharmed. The girl appeared calm and interacted positively with her father, police said.

“We understand the concern generated by the video circulating online,” the Stockton Police Department stated. “The Stockton Police Department remains committed to protecting children, respecting lawful court orders, thoroughly investigating allegations of criminal conduct and treating all parties fairly and impartially.”

Local law enforcement agencies often respond to civil disputes to keep the peace and enforce valid custody orders. When complaints arise, officials review police body-worn camera footage to evaluate officer actions.

The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case, police said. Child Protective Services is also reviewing reports from the incident.