Heather Whitten’s photo of her husband comforting their son in the shower went viral, and after a single complaint, they’ve been investigated by child services and the police.

In 2014, Heather Whitten took the most beautiful photo of her husband and her young son Fox. the one-year-old boy was sick with diarrhoea and vomiting and his dad, Thomas, had taken him into the shower to comfort him.

A single complaint

According to Heather, a documentary photographer and mother of four, the photo reached over 9 million people, and of those millions, one person sent a complaint to the local authorities.

“Thomas and I were investigated by Arizona’s Department of Child Safety (DCS) and the Sahuarita Police Department for a number of claims that the person made in their letter.”

The police said they weren’t going to take any action against the Whittens and DCS closed the case in July 2016.

However, an investigator from the department is escalating the issue, and according to Heather tried "to have me seen as an immodest, neglectful and abusive mother based on the single interview she had with me."

Heather shares her photos, like this one of eldest daughter Lillian, to "purely connect [with other parents] through shared experiences." Photo: Heather Whitten Facebook

A claim of neglect once the image was posted

“… The only claim [the investigator] is able to suggest be substantiated against me was that I neglected to supervise our children by allowing the images to be online and so put them at an unreasonable risk of harm,” Heather says.

“Later she made it clear that she was basing most of her opinions on me because I breastfed one of my twins throughout the whole interview, without covering myself or my child. Of course, she couldn’t take action against us for any of these things … they were either complete reaches or in the case of me breastfeeding, normal and protected by law."

If the claim is substantiated, Heather won't be able to adopt any more children. Her adopted daughter Leena is pictured here. Photo: Heather Whitten Facebook

The photo that started it all

When the powerful photo was originally posted almost three years ago, Facebook took the photo down because it ‘violated’ photo policies.

Heather continued to repost it, in the hope that Facebook would welcome “this kind of freedom for families and artists” but Facebook continued to take it down. People loved it, people hated it, and it went viral.

"This man. This husband and partner and father"

“It was a powerful moment for us as parents,” Heather wrote.

"As I sat in the shower with the two of them I was just overwhelmed with the scene in front of me. This man. This husband and partner and father.

“He was so patient and so loving and so strong with our tiny son in his lap. His whisper of reassurance to Fox, that he would be OK and that Thomas would take care of him was so stead and so honest.

“Thomas spent hours in the shower with him, trying to keep his fever down and letting the vomit and diarrhoea rinse off them both as it came.”

Fox (far left) and his twin sister Persephone. Photo: Heather Whitten Facebook

A hearing date has been scheduled

An administrative hearing is being held on February 3, and Heather will have the opportunity to give evidence.

If the claim is substantiated, Heather will be added to Arizona’s Central Registry for 25 years.

“I will no longer be able to foster or adopt children,” she says. “I will not be able to hold a position working with children or vulnerable adults. Not just in Arizona but throughout the country.”

Heather's Go Fund Me campaign for legal fees raised $5500 in eight hours.