Barefoot two-year-old girl walks towards armed police with hands up during dad’s arrest

A barefoot toddler walked towards armed police with her hands up as police officers arrested one of her parents on suspicion of shoplifting.

Footage from the incident, which took place in Tallahassee, Florida, shows the two-year-old emerging from a pickup truck after it was pulled over by law enforcement. She is seen making her way up the road as if she is surrendering.

The officers, armed with pistols and rifles, keep their firearms raised as she slowly walks towards them.

The person filming the incident on their mobile phone can be heard saying: “She's trying to get out, but she can't because she's little

”She is out! Oh, she's holding her hands up. Oh my God, look at that. Oh my God.“

When a witness accuses the police of holding the gun at the baby, another disputes the assertion, saying: ”No, they're holding the gun at the car.”

The young child appeared to be imitating her father, who was among the shoplifting suspects police were taking into custody at the time.

Chad M Bom and James W McMullen were detained on shoplifting charges and a pellet gun was found in the back seat during a search of the truck, authorities said.

Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) later released body cam of the incident after the 90-second clip began circulating on social media.

TPD Chief Michael DeLeo told the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper that officers were heavily armed as staff at the store reported that the suspects had a weapon with them.

The force said it was satisfied the officers had acted appropriately.

Chief DeLeo said: “The body camera footage shows the officers' concern for the children and their compassion as they permitted the mother to care for the children.

”I am proud of how officers handled the situation, how they adapted when they became aware of the children, the level of concern and compassion they showed to the family.“