PHOENIX (AP) – A Phoenix woman who left her two young sons alone in a hot car during a job interview pleaded guilty Monday to a felony child abuse charge in a deal that lets her avoid jail time.
The plea agreement calls for Shanesha Taylor to serve 10 years of probation, undergo parenting classes and pay an unspecified amount of restitution. Her children remain in her custody.
Taylor attracted sympathy around the nation after her tear-stained mug shot went viral on the Internet.
Her story of trying to get a job but not being able to find child care resonated with the public, and she received more than $114,000 in donations through an online site.
But she became the target of backlash after she missed deadlines to fund a trust for her children and questions arose about where the money went.