CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Putnam County Sheriff's Department is investigating a YouTube video of two toddlers being forced to fight.

Sheriff Mark L. Smith said Tuesday his office is investigating whether the video was shot in Putnam County and working to identify the toddlers and other individuals in the video.

"We've got some information, and until we confirm all the facts, no information will be released," Smith said.

State Department of Health and Human Resources spokesman John Law said the video, which has been taken down from YouTube's Web site, showed several teenagers holding two boys by their arms and urging them to hit each other until one started to cry. He said the teens also encouraged the toddlers to use obscenities.

Law said his office will look into the incident if the children in the video are identified.

He said the video did not appear to be a case of child endangerment or neglect, but rather a question of parental supervision for both the teenagers and the toddlers. He said the video appeared to be more of a prank than intentionally malicious.

Smith said he could not speculate on what charges may be brought against the individuals in the video.

Law said a group of teenagers were shown in the video, which was filmed outside in a community setting. He said he could not speculate on how many teens were in the group.

WCHS-TV brought the video to the attention of authorities Monday evening, Law said. The TV station was able to confirm from the Web address linked to the video that it came out of Putnam County, he said.

Law said, to his knowledge, this is the first time a video of this nature has come out of West Virginia.

Sheriff Mark L. Smith said Tuesday his office is investigating whether the video was shot in Putnam County and working to identify the toddlers and other individuals in the video.

"We've got some information, and until we confirm all the facts, no information will be released," Smith said.

State Department of Health and Human Resources spokesman John Law said the video, which has been taken down from YouTube's Web site, showed several teenagers holding two boys by their arms and urging them to hit each other until one started to cry. He said the teens also encouraged the toddlers to use obscenities.

Law said his office will look into the incident if the children in the video are identified.

He said the video did not appear to be a case of child endangerment or neglect, but rather a question of parental supervision for both the teenagers and the toddlers. He said the video appeared to be more of a prank than intentionally malicious.

Smith said he could not speculate on what charges may be brought against the individuals in the video.

Law said a group of teenagers were shown in the video, which was filmed outside in a community setting. He said he could not speculate on how many teens were in the group.

WCHS-TV brought the video to the attention of authorities Monday evening, Law said. The TV station was able to confirm from the Web address linked to the video that it came out of Putnam County, he said.

Law said, to his knowledge, this is the first time a video of this nature has come out of West Virginia.