phillysepta.png

The children and a female guardian and caregiver exited the train at the York-Dauphin Station, a SEPTA spokesman said.

PHILADELPHIA -- Authorities have identified a group of young kids who were caught on video cursing and hitting people on the Market-Frankford Line in Philadelphia last week.

SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch said the incident occurred after the children and a female caregiver or guardian boarded the train at Second Street station. Video posted on social media on Thursday night and picked up by local television stations on Tuesday show several of the children using vulgar language and acting aggressively, including hitting and spitting at passengers.

The group exited the train at the York-Dauphin station.

The incident was not reported to SEPTA police directly, according to Busch, who said authorities became aware of it through the video.

Busch said on Tuesday afternoon that SEPTA police want to "identify these children and direct them toward whatever kind of services they need."

SEPTA Police Chief Thomas Nestel posted on Twitter later Tuesday, saying the family has been identified and "they are being connected with social services."

The family in the YouTube video shown on tonight's news has been identified. They are being connected with social services. Thanks to ALL! — Thomas J. Nestel III (@TNestel3) March 29, 2016

The woman on the train with the children was an aunt to two of the kids, Nestel said.

Parents of the children spoke to 6ABC on Tuesday night. The mother of two of the boys told the television station she was "very ashamed. I would never think that they would do something like that."

Erin O'Neill may be reached at eoneill@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LedgerErin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.