ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – A 36-year-old Florida woman has been arrested on child abuse charges after a Ring doorbell camera captured her striking her young son during an Instacart grocery delivery.
Kiah Lowery was taken into custody by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and charged with child abuse following an investigation by the department’s Special Victims Unit. She has since been released from jail but is under a court-ordered no-contact order with her child.
The incident occurred on May 31, 2026, at a residence on Alta Street in St. Augustine. Lowery, working as an Instacart shopper, brought her 6-year-old son along to assist with the delivery. The boy struggled to carry a basket of groceries before Lowery instructed him to carry a 26-pound case of bottled water instead. When the child dropped the heavy pack, Lowery struck him in the face, according to authorities and the video evidence.
Disturbing footage from the Ring camera shows the tense exchange in an apartment building hallway. The video, which has circulated widely on social media, depicts the child cowering against a wall and on the floor as Lowery bends over him. Subtitles captured in the clip include the woman saying phrases such as “Put your hand down,” “How dare you,” and “Pick this up. You’re gonna carry something.” The boy can be heard saying “I can’t hold it” and “Ow!” as the confrontation unfolds.
The split-screen video also displays Lowery’s mugshot alongside the doorbell footage.
Lowery reportedly described her actions as “an over-stimulated moment” and apologized for her violent reaction toward her son. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation was conducted in coordination with the Florida Department of Children and Families and the State Attorney’s Office for Florida’s 7th Circuit.
The case of water weighed 26 pounds while the boy weighed just under 50 pounds, highlighting the physical demands placed on the child during the delivery.
Authorities have not released additional details about the ongoing investigation or any potential further charges. The State Attorney’s Office will determine whether to pursue a criminal conviction, while DCF is expected to examine whether Lowery is a safe caregiver for the child.
The video has drawn widespread attention and public outrage online. Reports indicate Lowery has been banned from working as an Instacart shopper.
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office officials emphasized the role of the Special Victims Unit in handling sensitive child abuse cases and urged anyone with information to come forward.
Law enforcement and child welfare advocates stress that children should never be placed in harm’s way during work-related activities. The investigation remains active.
