Dramatic footage has emerged capturing the immediate aftermath of a harrowing incident in North Carolina, where a young boy was allegedly dragged by his mother perilously close to a moving freight train.
The video, obtained by DailyMail.com, shows bystanders physically confronting and detaining 34-year-old Iryna Zarutska after the near-tragedy in Selma on Tuesday. The Ukrainian refugee mother is now facing serious charges of child abuse.
A Tense Confrontation on the Tracks
The eyewitness video begins with a group of men holding Zarutska on the ground near the railway line. One man can be heard yelling, 'You understand you almost killed your kid?!' as the child, visibly distressed, cries in the background.
Another bystander is heard stating, 'The train missed him by that much,' indicating a very narrow margin. The individuals restraining her insist they are holding her for the police, stating, 'We are not hurting you, we are keeping you for the police.'
The Aftermath and Official Response
According to the Johnston County Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred when Zarutska allegedly pulled her son along the tracks as the train was approaching. The child reportedly became stuck, but was freed before the train passed.
Sheriff's Captain Jeff Caldwell confirmed the boy was taken to a local medical facility for evaluation but appeared physically unharmed. Zarutska was arrested and charged with misdemeanor child abuse and is being held on a $5,000 secured bond.
The case has been referred to the county's Department of Social Services, highlighting grave concerns for the child's welfare. The investigation is ongoing as authorities piece together the full sequence of events.
