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Active duty sailor, wife facing child cruelty charge for alleged abuse to 7-month-old

A couple is facing child cruelty charges after deputies saw a video on an iPhone of a 7-month-old baby being abused, according to the Camden County Sheriff's Office.

Latoya Harrell, 23, and Jonathan Harrell, 24, were arrested Sunday.

Deputies were initially called to their St. Mary's residence at the Kings Bay Naval Base for a possible domestic situation, but it turned out to be a verbal altercation between the husband and wife.

Jonathan then told a deputy he had a video on his iPhone of the child being abused by Latoya, according to the arrest report.

Authorities said in the video, the couple can be seen having an argument. The baby is on his back, lying on a bed while Latoya pours a full bottle of water on the child -- causing the child to cough and cry, according to the report.

According to the report, when Jonathan doesn't appear to be alarmed
or worried for the child's well-being,

Latoya then places a "belt or scarf type object and proceeds to tie it around the juvenile's neck and holds him up in the air by the said object."

Deputies said the baby's eyes were visibly watering and bulging.

Latoya then drops the child on the bed after Jonathan continues to record and not help the baby.

The child is then left unattended as the two leave the room and the video ends, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The report stated that Jonathan said he recorded the incident because he wanted to get his wife in trouble and did not want to lose his family.

The report also stated Jonathan said his wife has mental health issues and is not on her medication.
Both were arrested on suspicion of cruelty to children in the first degree.