Video: Toddler tries to stop attack on mother

The video, which was shot by a bystander, shows the victim's two-year-old son bravely kicking at the attacker's legs

Police in Salem, New Jersey, are searching for a woman caught on video brutally beating a mother as her young child watches and repeatedly pleads for her to stop.

The shocking footage, which was shot on a street in Salem, Massachusetts, shows one woman kicking and punching another as a toddler pleads with her to stop.

The video, which was shot by a bystander, shows the victim's two-year-old son bravely kicking at the attacker's legs during the horrific assault.

Astonishingly the attacker then turns her aggression on the child warning the mother that she will kick the toddler in the face.

Warning: Video contains scenes of violence

The video, which was released by Salem Police, ends with the victim lying on the ground beaten.

Police chief Pelura said the victim was left "disoriented, confused and bleeding from the face". The attacker has been identified as Latia Harris, 25, but she has not been apprehended yet.

Police have said the attacker will likely face charges of aggravated assault and two counts of making terroristic threats.

What sparked the assault is unclear, though the incident took place on a pathway near to a McDonald's restaurant where police believe the suspect might have been employed.