A 35-year-old homeless mother from Arizona will have a bit of a load lifted off her shoulders after being arrested on felony child abuse charges earlier this month for leaving her two young children in a hot car while she went on a job interview.
On March 20, Shanesha Taylor was arrested in Scottsdale, Ariz. after police discovered her 2-year-old and 6-month-old sitting in a vehicle alone with the engine off and the windows slightly cracked. The car was reportedly left parked in the sun and all the doors were closed while she sat for an interview with an insurance company.
Police say Taylor returned about 45 minutes after authorities arrived on the scene, stating that she didn’t have anyone else to care for the children while she searched for a job.
As Taylor continues to wait in jail on two felony counts of child abuse, her heartbreaking story has made its rounds on the Internet. The incident caught the eye of 24-year-old Amanda Bishop who started a YouCaring.com fundraising page to aid in the mother’s “situation and legal pursuits.”
To date, the effort has raised more than $54,000 with 32 days remaining. The initial goal was $9,000.
“Thank you all so much for your donations and help. I too am struggling to keep my head above water and can relate to all your stories and offers,” stated Bishop. “This is an experience I will truely cherish for the rest of my life. I have never been a part of such an amazing community and even international outreach. It’s something I stand back in awe of everyday.”
Taylor will reportedly be held until March 31 and her children have been put in the custody of Child Protective Services.