Suspect in beating on NJ mom out on bail

SALEM, N.J. (WPVI) -- The South Jersey woman allegedly seen in a video beating up a former co-worker is out on bail.

25-year-old Latia Harris was charged with aggravated assault after police say the recording showed Harris punching her McDonald's coworker Catherine Ferreira in front of Ferreira's 2-year-old son.

Harris got out of Salem County jail shortly after midnight Wednesday.

The brutally beating was captured on video and then posted online, and quickly spread.

Action News spoke with Ferreira after the assault. She said, "This is cool? Oh we're videotaping a fight, they don't understand that I could have been dead right now. If she hit me in the right spot, it would have been over. McDonald's isn't worth it, a guy isn't worth it."

Distressing to the victim and others, it appears that the people who were recording the video, never moved to try to stop the attack.

Investigators believe Harris thought Ferreira, a one-time coworker, had spread rumors about a romantic relationship between Harris and a work supervisor - one that Harris thought could jeopardize her job.

Ferreira concedes she spoke about the pair but that it didn't justify an attack.

"It was brief conversation between me and two other girls. It's not as serious as to break anybody's nasal cavity or bone or nose period," said Ferreira.

The police chief, sadden by what he saw on the video, focused on the Ferreira's 2-year-old son, who tried stop the assailant.

"The son is the only person who has the natural instinct or is following the natural instinct to protect his mother," said Chief John Pelura III., Salem Police.

"He wasn't afraid, he just wanted to defend his mom. That's my world right there, I love that boy so much," said Ferreira.

Ferreira says she suffered a mild concussion and a broken nose during the attack.