Scottsdale, AZ — Shanesha Taylor, a 35-year-old homeless woman from Arizona was arrested and is now facing child abuse charges after she left her two young children in the car while she was at a job interview. Her children, a 2-year old and a 6-month old, have already been put in the custody of Child Protective Services.
Reportedly, a bystander called the police to report seeing two unattended children in a parked Dodge Durango. The car’s windows were slightly cracked, but the car was parked in direct sunlight in an office complex. The mom returned to the car about 45 minutes later after the police had arrived, and told police she just had a job interview and didn’t have anyone to care for her children.
One officer, who arrested her on the spot, commented, “She was upset. This is a sad situation all around. She said she was homeless. She needed the job. Obviously, [she is] not getting the job. So it’s just a sad situation.”
Police say the children were in the car alone for more than one hour, and could have died from the heat.
But many are donating to help her out…
Taylor’s arrest has generated a lot of dialogue across the country… and compassion. For example, an online fundraising drive on YouCaring.com has been launched to help with her legal expenses. The original goal was just $9,000, but it has already raised more than $69,000.
Amanda Bishop, a local woman who organized the fundraiser, said, “There are some of us that feel that Shanesha was in an unfortunate situation that sadly an economy like ours is putting many single mother’s in a position to make terrible mistakes like this.” She urges others to show compassion because of her dire situation.
Those who would like to make a donation to the fundraiser can do so online at:
www.youcaring.com/help-a-neighbor/shanesha-taylor-fundraiser/153519