I was driving to school today and I saw a car to my front right. The man driving turned and violently punched the female passenger. Hard. Like, so hard her head looked like it was coming out the window. Then he turned to the backseat and violently punched his little boy in the face. In broad daylight, in traffic. It all happened so quickly and I just reacted.

I put on my hazards and got behind him and started blaring my shitty little horn. He tried to lose me on the interstate but I stayed with him and called 911. I told them everything, what happened, where I was at, his license plate number, anything I could think of.

I followed them to a walmart where he drove up to the fire lane upfront and almost hit the building. He ran inside, she followed and they left the kid in the car.

She had a bright red mark an her face and the little boy was crying and had a bloody nose and a red face. He hit them so hard.

I stayed with the car, which was parked really illegally and waited for the police officers.

I was shaking and crying because all I could think of was him hitting that little boy and I can't stop replaying it in my head. I gave them descriptions and my information. I told them I would give a statement if needed.

They said they weren't able to find the parents inside but they had the little boy.

I hope I saved him from something. I hope the mom sees this as an opportunity to get out of that situation. But more than anything, I hope I helped that little boy.

I can't unsee it and I'm a mess right now.

I had a panic attack earlier and all I can think about is that little boy's bloody, red face.

How do people do that? How do they hurt little ones? There's a level of personal responsibility with adults but children have no choice. That little boy didn't ask for that.

I'm so hurt by the world sometimes.

\*\*Edit/Update: First, thank you all for your words, they're really making me feel love all around and I need it right now. I came home and hugged my little boy and sobbed. Took a scalding hot shower and went for a run. Things are still very fresh in my brain and I'm still trying to process everything I think. I keep hearing the little boy cry if my brain is quiet for a second. It's kinda rough and raw right now but it will get better. I'll seek resources.

I mentioned below that I was knocking around going into social work and I believe that this morning really solidified that question. Working with the officers and helping the little boy as much as I could was enough for me to decide emphatically that that is the career I belong in.

There was an update from the police officers I spoke to: they ended up finding the parents. They were in the changing rooms together and they had taken clothing and makeup and were changing clothes and she was applying the makeup. The officer told me he had some heavy warrants out for his arrest and they may not have found him if I hadn't called everything in.

There were witnesses that gave statements about his erratic driving and how I tended to the child. I certainly hope that man goes away for a long time.

Again, thank you, every single one of you.\*\*