by 
Leaving kids in the car is dangerous! There’s no doubt about that. On a hot summer’s day, temperatures in a car can quickly rise to over 100 degrees, which leaves kids at risk for heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses. These illnesses can even result in death.
Law enforcement and prosecutors are tough on parents they believe have left their children in the car. Serious charges can result.
This was the case for Shanesha Taylor, who was charged with two counts of child abuse for leaving her kids in the car.
Taylor’s case has sparked national attention not because it is exceptional—many cases like this happen every year—but because people across the country are rallying to support her.
Why? Taylor, a single mom, left her kids in the car to attend a job interview, and she happens to be homeless.
While no one condones leaving kids in a hot car, many people—including talk show host Nancy Grace—are defending Taylor for making the best choice she could in an extremely difficult situation. With no one to watch her children, and with no home, what were her other options? She felt she had to attend the job interview because she desperately needs the job: she currently relies on food stamps to feed herself and her children.
Though Taylor made a mistake, her intentions were good, which is why she has so many supporters. Currently, a fundraising website for Taylor has raised almost $90,000. It’s also possible that Taylor didn’t know the danger of leaving her kids in the car.
Taylor has pleaded not guilty to all charges, so we’ll have to wait to find out what will happen in her case.
The criminal defense attorneys at Greenberg, Greenberg & Kenyon, APLC would like to know what you think. Should Taylor be facing two counts of child abuse? Or should she be given leniency due to her circumstances?
