Facebook post reveals possible child abuse in Cd'A

A concerned citizen was able to use social media on Tuesday to draw law enforcement attention to a potential child abuse case.

The resident found a video on someone else's Facebook page that showed a man allegedly physically abusing his 4-month-old child. Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Christie Wood told The Press Tuesday that the video was then posted to the department's Facebook page by the resident at 8:30 am.

Detectives were able to determine the identity of the man in the video and brought him and the child's mother, who allegedly videotaped the incident, in for questioning.

The child was placed under the custody of the state.

"The good news here is that the child is now safe," Wood said. "We appreciate that the citizen took the time to make sure we saw it."

Wood said no arrests have been made yet but it was "likely" after the department consults with the Kootenai County Prosecutor's Office.

"This incident just shows you the power of social media," Wood said. "Law enforcement has used it for many years and we couldn't be happier with our Facebook page and our ability to communicate with the public through it."