Statesville Father Charged With Child Abuse After Video Began Circulating
STATESVILLE, N.C. — A Statesville man is behind bars after a disturbing video surfaced online showing what authorities say is the physical abuse of his young daughter.
Brian Alexander Johnson, 31, has been charged with misdemeanor child abuse following the circulation of a video that allegedly shows him violently disciplining the child inside a home. The footage, which has sparked outrage across social media, appears to have been recorded by Johnson himself, though it remains unclear why or who the video was originally intended for.
In the video, Johnson is seen wearing a turquoise bathrobe as he confronts the child, questioning her about wetting her underwear.
“Why you still peeing in your underwear?” Johnson asks the child.
The young girl appears visibly upset, wiping her eyes.
At one point, the child is allegedly forced to smell her own underwear. Moments later, Johnson is seen throwing the underwear past the camera before repeatedly striking the girl. He then walks off camera, leaving the child crying.
According to arrest warrants, the incident occurred in April 2023, but the video did not begin circulating publicly until recently.
Court documents allege that Johnson created and allowed a substantial risk of physical injury to the child by non-accidental means, stating that he repeatedly struck the girl and forcefully threw her onto the armrest of a couch — actions the warrant say posed a serious risk of harm.
Although warrants identify Johnson as the child’s father, some social media users claim he is not.
Johnson was arrested Wednesday and appeared before a judge Thursday, where his bond was set at $50,000 secured, according to Iredell County court records.
As of Thursday night, he remained in custody.
His next court date is scheduled for March 2.
