A viral video showing a woman who appears to be on the verge of losing consciousness on a SEPTA bus while her daughter tries to keep her awake has sparked an official investigation.
The video, which was posted on Facebook, shows a woman with her daughter on a SEPTA bus in Northeast Philly. The woman appears to be on the verge of passing out and leans forward as her daughter holds her head up to stop her from falling over.
Several concerned viewers sent the video to NBC10. One viewer claimed the girl in the video is 7-years-old. She also claimed the woman was under the effects of heroin abuse.
Several people also sent the video to Philadelphia Police and the Department of Human Services.
“While it is helpful that so many people emailed and called us after viewing the video, there were many people on the bus who witnessed this as it was occurring and took no action at all,” said DHS Commissioner Anne Marie Ambrose. “Child abuse is a community problem, if you see or know that a child is being abused or neglected, you should report it immediately.”
Philadelphia Police Lieutenant John Stanford agrees.
"We don't want people to engage because you don't know what's going on here," Stanford said. "But we'd prefer you to call 911 or stop the operator of the vehicle."
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Police say they identified the woman and took her in for questioning. She has not been officially charged, however.
Police also have not confirmed whether the woman was under the influence of drugs or alcohol while she was on the bus.
