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This shocking footage shows the moment a mother is allegedly beaten by two police officers in front of her one-year old daughter.

Brandie Redell, 34, admitted stuffing $388 worth of clothing into her baby's buggy at the Von Maur department store in Northpark Mall.

In the soundless video, obtained by Chicago-based watchdog group the Better Government Association (BGA), Redell is seen sitting down and animatedly exchanging words with an officer, identified as Scott Crow.

Crow then approaches Redell, pounces on her and appears to strike her several times in the head with both fists, while the other officer is seen holding her down by her waist and legs.

"I was asking why this was happening and I was crying. I was screaming, begging for someone to help", Redell told WQAD television.

The incident, which left the mother with a black eye and a trip to the hospital, resulted in the two officers being disciplined but neither lost their job and continue to work for the Davenport Police Department.

Police Chief Frank Donchez said an internal investigation into the alleged police brutality found the officers violated policy.

He said: "The County Attorney reviewed this case and did not feel that criminal charges were warranted. We have an Officers Bill of Rights. Progressive discipline is part of the Bill of Rights.

"I have fired ten people in the past five-and-a-half years. I'm not opposed to firing people when it warrants it.

"One of the things is that officer was bit. I have access to all of the facts, people watching TV and video don't have access to all the facts."

Donchez also made a remark suggesting police brutality was not that uncommon.

"I'm not making excuses for the officer that deviates from policy. I'm a realist. It's going to happen from time to time".

Redell admitted biting the officer's finger but says it was only to get him off of her.

Crow claimed he pounced on Redell because her "hands were clenched" and she "appeared willing to fight", according to a copy of his report of the incident reviewed by BGA.

He also said that he struck her after she bit his finger.

Redell told CBS Chicago "I don't want to see anybody else in my shoes" and is now working with Chicago-based civil rights group, Living and Driving while Black foundation, to bring a federal lawsuit against the officers.