SALEM — Authorities continued their search Thursday for a suspect captured on amateur video repeatedly beating a woman as the victim's toddler son watched and bystanders did nothing to intervene and stop the attack.

The victim, Catherine Ferreira, was left with limited vision in her left eye and she was also threatened with being shot during the attack, according to the warrant issued for the suspect, Latia Harris, 25, of Salem.

The video, briefly posted on Facebook, shows Ferreira's 2-year-old young son trying to protect his mother by kicking her assailant in the attack which took place Tuesday night.

"... this video is physically sickening to watch," said Salem City Chief of Police John Pelura III.

Pelura said Harris remained at large Thursday.

Harris is an employee at McDonald's, where she encountered the victim. The subsequent attack occurred while she was on duty and after she followed the victim out of the store, according to police.

"Her whereabouts are unknown, but we are actively seeking her," Pelura said. The chief said when police went to her last known address — a Salem City Housing Authority complex on Anderson Drive — it was "vacant."

Harris is facing charges of aggravated assault and two counts of making terroristic threats.

Additional charges could also be filed against her, Pelura said.

In the warrant issued for her arrest, authorities charge Harris attempted to "cause significant bodily injury" to the victim "under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life."

Police said that the beating left Ferreira, a 27-year-old Salem resident, with limited function of her left eye, numerous contusions and a broken nose.

The warrant also says that Harris was "threatening to shoot the victim while punching her about the face."

The warrant also charges her with attempting to kick Ferreira's son in the face.

Pelura said Ferreira told police a woman named "Tia" who works at McDonald's on East Broadway in the city assaulted her and "accused her of spreading rumors about her (Harris) and her manager." In the video the suspect is dressed in what appears to be a McDonald's restaurant employee uniform — a burgundy shirt and black pants.

In a statement released Thursday afternoon through McDonald's corporate office, owner/operator of the Salem restaurant Jim Burlaga said he was aware of the incident involving his employee.

"I am extremely disturbed by this kind of behavior and it goes against the values and standards that I expect from my employees in my restaurants.

"This employee will not be serving customers pending this important police investigation and I'm fully cooperating with the local police in this matter," he added.

The assault took place Tuesday evening around 7 p.m. on a path that leads through a grassy and partially wooded area between the McDonald's and the Harvest Point Apartments on Grieves Parkway. Ferreira lives at Harvest Point.

At one point Harris threatens to strike Ferreira's young son, Xzavion.

The video has drawn attention from news outlets in the United States and beyond.

Pelura said the circumstances around this incident are disturbing.

"There is a moral and social breakdown in the fabric of our society which is clearly evident when a woman gets pummeled in broad daylight in front of her child while a dozen people pull out their phones to record the incident instead of calling for help," Pelura said. "There is so little regard for human life — by the actor and the bystanders."

Ferreira, who was left bloodied after being beaten — mostly about the face — was taken to The Memorial Hospital of Salem County, Mannington Township for treatment.

Authorities were alerted about the attack after receiving a call from someone at the guardhouse outside of Harvest Point Apartments.

People walking on the path were he beating took place, said the incident was shocking.

"Something definitely needs to change" in the Salem community, said city resident Elizabeth Jamerson. "Someone should have stepped in."

"I think that it was horrible. I think she (the suspect) should go to jail," said one woman, who asked to not be identified.

David Townsend, of Salem, said, "It was crazy. It shouldn't have happened like that in the first place. I have kids and (incidents like this) make me worry about them."

Harris has not shown up at her job at McDonald's since the attack, authorities said.

Police say they are now trying to locate Harris through family members. Bail has been set at $35,000.

Authorities in jurisdictions outside of Salem are also searching for Harris.

Anyone with information on where Harris is is asked to call the Salem City Police Department at 856-935-0057.

Contact South Edition Editor Bill Gallo Jr. at 856-935-1500 ext. 432 or bgallo@southjerseymedia.com