Amanda Bishop doesn’t know Shanesha Taylor, the single mother who was arrested for allegedly leaving her kids in a car during a job interview, but she felt compelled to do something to help her.
“There are some of us that feel that Shanesha was in an unfortunate situation that, sadly, an economy like ours is putting many single mothers in a position to make terrible mistakes like this,†Bishop wrote on a fundraising page.
Taylor’s striking mug shot and her story have attracted more than $95,000 in donations, to date.
The Phoenix mom said she was unable to find a babysitter when she went to a job interview at an insurance company on March 21, and so she left her 2-year-old son and 6-month-old baby in the car with the key in the ignition and the windows cracked, the Associated Press reported.
A witness saw one of the children crying and alerted authorities, who arrested Taylor when she returned to her vehicle, the AP reported.
Taylor was released from jail on March 31 on $9,000 bond that was posted by a local church, according to an update on her fundraising page.
On Monday, she pleaded not guilty to two counts of child abuse.
More than 3,000 comments have been left on the fundraising page offering Taylor their well-wishes.
“Everyone makes mistakes Shanesha. I understand being a single parent of 2 infants is extremely difficult. I hope my contribution can help you fight through this process and hopefully help you re-unite with your children.
“No one should be punished for doing what they find best in a tough situation,†another donor wrote. “I pray that everything works out for your children and for you.â€
