A mother in North Carolina has been taken into custody after reportedly abandoning her six-week-old infant in her vehicle while she worked at McDonald’s.
Nikita Jones, 21, was arrested on December 2 following the issuance of two warrants related to one count of misdemeanor child abuse and one felony count of intentional child abuse resulting in serious physical injury.
Reports indicate that the arrest warrants claimed Jones not only left her newborn baby unrestrained in her vehicle, where the temperature was reportedly just 40 degrees, but she also allegedly struck the baby in the face, resulting in visible bruising around her eyes.
Authorities reported that Jones left her infant in the vehicle on November 21 and switched off the car before entering the McDonald’s in Raleigh to begin her work shift. The documents revealed that the event involving Jones and her baby occurred the previous day, on Nov. 20, and that the child exhibited bruising, swelling, and scratches on her face.
Information regarding the baby’s present state remains undisclosed, and the duration she spent in the vehicle prior to being discovered is unclear.
Jones has been incarcerated with a secured bond set at $50,000 for the felony charge and $5,000 for the misdemeanor, as per court documents.
She is scheduled to appear in court on December 10 for her arraignment regarding the felony charge. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 19 regarding the misdemeanor charge.