Viral Facebook video results in child abuse charges against trio in Flint

FLINT, MI - A viral Facebook video depicting a children being hit with a belt has resulted in third-degree child abuse charges against three people.

Officials allege the boy's godmother is seen on in a video that was posted on Facebook whipping the boy with a belt while her boyfriend filmed the incident.

The video shows the mother slapping the boy in the face before watching the incident on the couch, officials said.

The video had 8,600 shares on Facebook as of Tuesday morning, April 8. Flint police have asked that people not share the video on Facebook.

Stefan Felton, 40, Uteas Taylor, 42, and Demitria Powell, 28, are also charged with conspiracy to commit third degree child abuse and committing child abuse in front of a minor. They were arraigned on Tuesday morning in front of Flint District Judge Nathaniel C. Perry III.

The video depicts a boy being slapped by Powell, his mother, then being asked about his grades and behavior. Taylor, the mother's godmother, then starts hitting the boy with a belt while Felton films, police allege.

At one point, a woman officials identified as Powell says the video is going on Facebook and that viewers can call Child Protective Services if they want

During the more than six-minute video, the boy is hit more than 60 times with a belt over a period of about two minutes. The boy continues to hold the chair as he cries out, at times bending his legs in an apparent attempt to avoid the belt.

The boy was audibly crying as the man taking the video and while Felton and Taylor taunt him. Taylor then makes the boy apologize to his mother for his poor performance in school.

Toward the end, the woman prompts the boy to say 'it's not cool to be a gangster.' The man taking the video says he spent 10 years in prison and is a 'wanted criminal.'

The man then asks 'Yo' butt hurt?' to which the boy responds in the affirmative. 'Then no more of that, huh?'

Police said the boy suffered minor injuries.

At the end of the video, the man shooting the video asks the boy to state his name and age. Another young child also can be seen in the background of the video.

Police said they began investigating the video Friday, April 4, along with the Department of Human Services.

During the arraignment, Powell sat with her arms crossed and answered the judge's questions. She said she was on probation from a previous misdemeanor and was given a $7,500 bond on all three charges.

Taylor and Felton were given $8,500 bond on each count. All three are in custody.