Arizona mother speaks out about leaving children in a hot car

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Mom Who Left Children In Hot Car While On A Job Interview Opens Up
Mom Who Left Children In Hot Car While On A Job Interview Opens Up



Shanesha Taylor, the Arizona mother who left her two children in a hot car while she went on a job interview, is speaking out after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors.

Taylor sat down with TODAY's Matt Lauer Thursday morning, and said the decision to leave her children in the car was not made out of laziness, but despair.

"It was a moment of desperation. It was me knowing my family was in crisis and knowing that I had to make a choice between providing for my children or caring for my children."



Taylor's story gained national attention back in March after she was arrested for leaving her 6-month-old and two year old sons in a SUV for more than a half hour while she interviewed for job. She claims she arranged for a sitter, but says they fell through last minute. Police estimated the vehicle got as hot as 100 degrees while she was away.

Despite many stories of children being left in hot cars getting negative press, Taylor's attracted sympathy. She received donations from strangers amounting in nearly $115,000.

Luckily,prosecutors have agreed to drop felony child abuse charges against Taylor as long as she completes between 26 to 52 weeks of parenting abuse programs, and puts the money raised towards an educational trust fund for her children. If for some reason Taylor does not fulfill her agreement with prosecutors, they've said they will pick back up the case.

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