The Middle River mother shown abusing her children in a viral video that surfaced on social media in March has been arrested and charged with second-degree child abuse and second-degree assault.

You can view the original video here.

Rachel Marie Pietro, 26, of Middle River, 21220, was arrested in Essex on March 21st. She faces two counts of each charge.

Officers from the Essex precinct visited Pietro’s home on Cool Breeze Drive on March 16 after many concerned citizens forwarded to police a video showing a woman repeatedly striking two young children, a boy and a girl. Officers spoke with Pietro and her husband and referred the case to the Crimes Against Children Unit.

Detectives from the Crimes Against Children Unit visited the home the next day and began an investigation. The two children in the video – a 5-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl, as well as a 2-year-old boy who does not appear in the video – were placed in the care of the county Department of Social Services and subsequently transferred to the care of family members.

The investigation shows that Pietro – who initially told police the video was two years old – recorded the video at the home on Cool Breeze Drive sometime at the beginning of this year. She said she recorded the video because she hoped it would encourage her husband to come home and take care of her while she was ill. She also said she was angry with the children.

Minor injuries were documented on one of the children.

This case still awaits trial.