A series of videos posted online showing a nanny violently assaulting a newborn have sparked outrage in the Bay Area Chinese-speaking community. The nanny has allegedly fled to China, and the Chinese American family that hired her is speaking up to seek justice.
The baby’s mother, who requested that her name not be published to protect her privacy, is known as “Bay Area Mom D” on English- and Chinese-language social media. The resident of Hillsborough, a posh town on the Peninsula, said she hired the Chinese caregiver in September, shortly after their daughter was born.
In early October, she and her husband witnessed from the live monitor that the caregiver was “a little rough” with the baby, and they terminated the contract. They later found surveillance footage showing the nanny was violently throwing the baby onto a bed, smothering her, and slapping her face and body.
The family filed a police report in late October and posted the disturbing videos on social media platforms, including Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), shocking the Chinese-speaking world. More than 30,000 people have signed an online petition urging U.S. officials to investigate.
“I welcomed my sweet baby girl into the world,” the mother posted on X in mid-November. “Sadly, we soon faced a devastating experience that I must share.”
The family said the caregiver has fled to China. The baby is under medical care.
The Hillsborough Police Department confirmed receipt of the report and said investigators have reviewed video evidence depicting multiple instances of suspected child abuse.
Police didn’t disclose the suspect’s identity but hinted that she is out of the country and said they are “collaborating with federal law enforcement agencies to locate and interview” her.
The department said it had noticed the surveillance footage circulating online and reminded the public that sharing such content could compromise the integrity of the investigation. The department is believed to have obtained more video evidence showing the abuse.
The Chinese consulate in San Francisco said in a statement that it’s aware of the incident and is “maintaining close communication with relevant parties and providing necessary assistance” to the investigation.
It’s common practice in the Bay Area Chinese immigrant community to hire nannies from China to take care of babies, and it has become a lucrative business. The mother wrote on social media that she learned the caregiver’s daughter had recommended her mother to work for the family. The daughter reportedly works for a major social media tech firm and lives in Fremont. Police in Fremont said the case does not fall under their jurisdiction.
While she waits for news on the investigation, the mother continues to post updates online.
“Another sleepless night,” she posted in Chinese on social media. “Please keep paying attention and speaking out so that the case can be taken seriously.”