A video of a terrified toddler locked inside a washing machine by his babysitter has sparked outrage after it was shared online.

In the viral footage, the terrified toddler, 2-year-old Kacper, is seen crying as his nanny films. As he cries, he presses his hand against the door in a desperate bid to open it and free himself.

In the clip, a man can be heard laughing as the boy weeps.

The video of the boy was posted online by a 19-year-old man named Mateusz S, who was arrested by police. He was later released without charge.

A second man, Adam B, 18, who was looking after the child at the time, was also arrested.

Police investigating the upsetting video said they have also found a photograph on social media of the boy being forced to smoke a cigarette.

The photo of Kacper smoking a cigarette was discovered by police on his mother’s social media page.

She has denied having anything to do with the post, claiming she left her phone at home while working.

It is understood Kacper’s mother, a 21-year-old named only as Zaneta D, left him with a friend while she took his father to work in the city of Radom in central Poland.

It was during this time that he was shut inside a washing machine. Police said the boy was not hurt but they have launched a child abuse investigation.

Social services are also involved.

Prosecutors said Adam B and Tomasz K, 22, the boy’s father, could face child abuse charges.

If found guilty of child abuse, the men face 10 years in prison.

Watch the video below.