Donations pour in for Phoenix mom facing charges

PHOENIX (AP) — A Phoenix woman arrested after leaving her two kids in a hot vehicle during a job interview is fighting to clear her name in court, with the support of a New Jersey woman who has raised more than $91,000 to help her effort.

Unemployed and on food stamps, Shanesha Taylor went to the job interview last month at a Scottsdale insurance company.

The 35-year-old wasn't able to find a sitter, so she left her 2-year-old son and 6-month old baby in her Dodge Durango with the key still in the ignition and the windows rolled down an inch.

A witness found the infant crying hysterically and sweating profusely as temperatures inside the SUV exceeded 100 degrees.

Taylor was arrested after returning to the vehicle, and her tearful mugshot later caught the attention of 24-year-old Amanda Bishop of New Jersey.

Bishop said she was inspired to set up a fundraising web page for Taylor because she could relate to growing up in a family that doesn't have a lot of money.

"I had a mother and family in general who struggled raising us and had to rely on other resources to provide for us and sometimes made not the greatest choices," Bishop said.

Taylor pleaded not guilty Monday at her arraignment.

Prosecutors point out that her actions put the safety of her children in danger.

According to court documents, Scottsdale firefighters found the vehicle's windows rolled down only an inch and no running air conditioning to keep the children cool.

The baby was described as wearing a short-sleeve shirt over a long-sleeve shirt, as well as a blanket. Taylor arrived back at the vehicle more than an hour after her interview time, the documents said.

"Everything is focused on the mother and understandably so. It seems to be a very compelling human interest story," County Attorney Bill Montgomery said at a recent news conference. "But I'm equally concerned and compelled about the circumstances those two children were in."

Montgomery said it's too soon to determine if Taylor will receive a prison term or face losing custody of her children. Her offenses could amount to a sentence ranging from probation to seven years in prison, prosecutors said.

Neither Taylor nor her court-appointed attorney has responded to requests for comment.

Bishop established the fundraising site on YouCaring.com with the goal of raising $9,000. She was flabbergasted when the site reached the goal in four days and then exceeded it by tens of thousands of dollars.

The site also has received more than a thousand comments, some of which accuse Bishop and other supporters of endorsing child abuse. Bishop said Taylor should not be condemned for one bad decision.

"She could have been at a bar or at a club and leaving her children in the car," Bishop said. "Here's a woman who is an example of someone who is trying — who is trying to better her situation and doing what she can to provide for her children."

Donations pour in for Phoenix mom facing charges

...So.. if I borrow my great-nephew (age 5- soon to be 6), go to a job interview, stick him in the car on a warm day like today with windows an inch down, I can get a fundraiser site set up in my name? Wow.. must be nice.

While I understand the woman's predicament (I'm unemployed myself right now- no kids though), I do not understand the following:

1. Why did she dress the baby in a long sleeve shirt, short sleeve shirt AND a blanket... In ARIZONA where the temperature is generally MUCH warmer than most of the US?!

2. Couldn't she have either taken the two into the waiting room? Couldn't she have rescheduled the interview if she could not find a babysitter thus giving her more time to find appropriate resources to help? Leaving the kids in a car WITH the keys in the ignition for more than an HOUR is a recipe for disaster.

Sorry I think I am leaning more towards no sympathy for the woman.

Ditto I can understand leaving the child in the car if she left the ac running to keep it cool. But in what universe would you think its ok to leave your child sweating and cracking the window open is good enough?

I think its safe to say she didn't get the job as well

She could have taken the kids in with her better than leaving them in the car. 100 is to freaking hot and it gets hotter in the car at least neither of the kids died... But poor kids. I agree i dont feel symphAty

Its a NO! NO! BAD idea, it will turn the interviewer off. It only brings distraction and interviewer are doing just business, nothing personal. They don't care about what they do with their kids. Basically none of their business; so bringing kids to work interview shows them that applicant can't find babysitter, how can that applicant be responsible, dependable and show up to work every time?

If she went over daycare and apply for job, that would be an exception, also there are some food store that got babysitter for up to 2 hours, I don't know if she has one nearby.

This is double edge sword, proving that it is not that easy for welfare single mother with limited income trying to apply for job.

I think the only credits she deserves is attempt getting a job and get off welfare. No credits for leaving kids in hot vehicles, and not let AC running, that is one mistake she made, by not turning AC on and leave engine running, but again what are the chances of one of her kid getting on drivers side and pull the transmission gear? Had it happened? Oh you can bet on it.

If I were the judge, I would hate making decision on this, even if I am juror, it is going to be messed up. Perhaps probation with assistance in finding job for her and have her prove herself that she stick to job. Again, who is gonna pay for daycare (It is NOT cheap) for her kids anyway?

Dreamer03 said:

She could have taken the kids in with her better than leaving them in the car. 100 is to freaking hot and it gets hotter in the car at least neither of the kids died... But poor kids. I agree i dont feel symphAty

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You do have a point about her actually trying to do something like looking for work. I do agree with that.

I showed the article to a friend of mine- she and her hubby struggle daily with money (due to his having to pay child support- no.. he is more than willing to do that no problem) and at the same time take care of their own issues AND any additional things for his kids because the mothers of them are the type of women who will bleed you dry without ever trying to help themselves much. So her perspective was a good one (I may ask if i can post her comments).

I also agree that the system isn't really being too fair to the people like this woman and I guess in a way that is why the fundraising site WAS set up- to offset her struggles so that she could look for a job. Still... her decisions/action wasn't the best in the world but in thinking it was probably "choose the lesser of two evils" kind of dilemma.

what if she gets a job then who will watch kids anyway.

diehardbiker said:

Its a NO! NO! BAD idea, it will turn the interviewer off. It only brings distraction and interviewer are doing just business, nothing personal. They don't care about what they do with their kids. Basically none of their business; so bringing kids to work interview shows them that applicant can't find babysitter, how can that applicant be responsible, dependable and show up to work every time?

If she went over daycare and apply for job, that would be an exception, also there are some food store that got babysitter for up to 2 hours, I don't know if she has one nearby.

This is double edge sword, proving that it is not that easy for welfare single mother with limited income trying to apply for job.

I think the only credits she deserves is attempt getting a job and get off welfare. No credits for leaving kids in hot vehicles, and not let AC running, that is one mistake she made, by not turning AC on and leave engine running, but again what are the chances of one of her kid getting on drivers side and pull the transmission gear? Had it happened? Oh you can bet on it.

If I were the judge, I would hate making decision on this, even if I am juror, it is going to be messed up. Perhaps probation with assistance in finding job for her and have her prove herself that she stick to job. Again, who is gonna pay for daycare (It is NOT cheap) for her kids anyway?

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yup.... shitty situation. I'd just give her a probation and bid her a good luck and tell her make a better choice next time.

That is true at least she is looking for a job not just been there doing nothing

I have seen announcements about this service ***St. Louis Crisis Nursery on TV and wonder if there is such a program where she is? It seems like it would fit her lack of a sitter.

Tragic situation....but to leave a small baby in that heat?....No way....Dunno if she had any AC in the car...or if she had a spare key....If so, she could have turned the AC on and locked the car....Still, so many things could go wrong....So, damm if she does or don't in this situation....

If it's he 1st offense, I would say probation and a small fine. I do remember years ago when my kids were small, and my babysitter just "popped out" and could not/would not take care of them that day....forcing me to lose a day of work and the possibility of getting fired.....

It's not easy for a single woman to work and take care of kids....

Here is what my friend commented(yes she gave permission)-

*She has been in similar situations in being a single mom even though her children were older, she also knows several single mothers- one since their kids were about 15 months old and 3.

This is a sad, complicated case in my opinion. I have nightmares about leaving my kids alone. One I had over and over again was me in college and living in a dorm and I snuck <edited out names of 3 kids> in with me. J was a baby and J#2 and R were only 2 and 4 but they would have to take care of themselves and the baby all day every day. When I would have those dreams the horrible feeling would follow me for about two days before I could shake it off. Obviously this woman made the wrong, dangerous choice. But it would have been just as wrong and dangerous to leave those kids with a babysitter she didn't know well and trust and it may have seemed like her only option. She is trying. It's more than ****ing <Hubby's ex> does. <hubby's ex>who has a fibroid in her boob and is already talking about how her prison boyfriend will buy her new tits if she can talk the doc into just taking these ones off. I think the system is set up to kick people while they are down and once you're stuck you're stuck. Society needs to keep you down so that people who have it better can feel better about themselves looking down on people who have it rough. I think they should put this mom on probation. She did screw up. But I also think they should ****ing help her out.

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She didn't beat them or fail to feed them. She wasn't screaming at them and she didn't leave them home alone where she likely thought they would be in more danger. House fire, drowning in the bathtub, playing with knives, who knows? I am guessing her thinking was more along the lines of keeping her babies close to her for safety, praying the interview went quickly and went well, and hoping she gets the job so she can put them into reliable daycare and start doing more than just existing. Her judgment was undeniably bad. It's very easy for those of us sitting on our asses behind computer screens to see that. But I highly doubt her decisions were made out of malice or indifference. They were made out of desperation and usually it is the parents that care that feel that desperation closing in on them. Been there, that's for sure. So yeah, I think having the weight of probation hanging over her head for a while holds her accountable for the poor choice she made, but I also doubt she will screw up again. I hope she gets a great job. I hope she gets some help. Good for her to be trying so damn hard in this world that has turned so damn ugly and judgmental.

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I give my friend more weight and credibility- I don't have children (and likely never will)- just my 2 nieces & nephew and great-nephew- they mean the most to me next to many of my friends' kids

How long does a job interview last ? Durango doesn't exactly get the best MPG. If this person can afford to commute in a Durango, then they can certainly pay for 2 hour of baby sitting.

I understand that she is trying to get a job and get off welfare, but this is a bad way to go around this.

dereksbicycles said:

How long does a job interview last ? Durango doesn't exactly get the best MPG. If this person can afford to commute in a Durango, then they can certainly pay for 2 hour of baby sitting.

I understand that she is trying to get a job and get off welfare, but this is a bad way to go around this.

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The Durango may be a "left-over" from better days. Also I don't think we know what age the vehicle is. It could be far from new and what was in the best shape for the amount of money she had to spend.

Same with me, I had truck that I would never be able to afford and could have keep it if it were not for cascades of repair bills. I had good job, got nice truck, lost my job and I was close to lose my truck, whew.

I hope our society take time and think and what can be done to prevent this from happening again, throw her in jail or forced her to pay will not solve the problem because the chances of other single mothers or fathers out there that would be in this situation are much higher than you would think.

You see, our government is throwing taxpayer money on overseas, war on drugs, fat military spending, and other spending that is really not necessary could have offer welfare programs with daycare assistance when they are looking for job. Too bad it does not exist in America.

Those who complaining about those getting entitlements, I wish they could have shut the F... UP! cause nobody likes to live below poverty, and the welfare program assistance usually below the bare minimum to stay alive. Give welfare a break by reform, including increasing assistance and daycare programs for those who look for job and keep job, otherwise will only get worse.

Jane B. said:

The Durango may be a "left-over" from better days. Also I don't think we know what age the vehicle is. It could be far from new and what was in the best shape for the amount of money she had to spend.

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Some job interviews can last longer than an hour. When I interviewed for my first job after I left my grad program-- that interview lasted TWO hours. I have also heard of interviews (mainly in the IT field though) lasting a DAY- or rather 6-8 hours- interviewing with different groups/people, touring the place, taking tests etc. An average interview will run from anywhere between 30 minutes to 45 minutes. So it's reasonable enough that hers lasted for an hour.

I agree that people don't like living below poverty or on welfare but I can guarantee you that there are some who make an art form of trying to stay on welfare or disability- the ex-wife mentioned in my friend's comments is one of them- the ex's sister is another (her schtick is disability- when none really exists anymore...ugh).

diehardbiker said:

Same with me, I had truck that I would never be able to afford and could have keep it if it were not for cascades of repair bills. I had good job, got nice truck, lost my job and I was close to lose my truck, whew.

I hope our society take time and think and what can be done to prevent this from happening again, throw her in jail or forced her to pay will not solve the problem because the chances of other single mothers or fathers out there that would be in this situation are much higher than you would think.

You see, our government is throwing taxpayer money on overseas, war on drugs, fat military spending, and other spending that is really not necessary could have offer welfare programs with daycare assistance when they are looking for job. Too bad it does not exist in America.

Those who complaining about those getting entitlements, I wish they could have shut the F... UP! cause nobody likes to live below poverty, and the welfare program assistance usually below the bare minimum to stay alive. Give welfare a break by reform, including increasing assistance and daycare programs for those who look for job and keep job, otherwise will only get worse.

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Yes, I agree with you.

I don't like to live on SSDI and I just want finish the school as soon as possible to find decent job that better accommodate for Usher Syndrome.

I'm really hate living on SSDI or become warehouse kid, so I rather to work with proper accommodation, but job options are limited for with vision problem.

See how society reacts, watch entire show.... interesting!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBuC_0-d-9Y

dereksbicycles said:

How long does a job interview last ? Durango doesn't exactly get the best MPG. If this person can afford to commute in a Durango, then they can certainly pay for 2 hour of baby sitting.

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Job interviews can be quite intense especially with the rough job market. Employers can afford to be picky. Some companies they even have several rounds of interviews.

As for the Durango, well, for all we know that could be just an used vehicle that she could barely afford. Ironically gas guzzlers are cheaper than fuel efficient cars. Why spent 10 grand for a hybrid when you can get a guzzler for 5 grand? If you don't do a ton of driving it doesn't make that much economic sense.

This is definitely a tough situation, and I'd hate to be the judge... however, I also know there are tons of state aided child care services available. I don't know her particular case, so I can't go into detail, no. However, many years ago I had a friend with a child and she was not in a very good financial situation ( on food stamps / unemployed ect ect. ) and she had state paid child care for so many hours a week that allowed her to go job hunting ect ect. When she found a job, they watched her child during work hours and charged her a small fee ( discounted ) when she started making a little more money. There are some services out there... Again, I don't know what her particular case was, but anything could have happened to those kids... thank god they didn't die of heat exposure or worse! There are some sick individuals out there to be leaving them alone in a car for that period of time.