A funding campaign for an arrested single mother has raised almost $120,000 in just two days after citizens were left outraged at her treatment.
Shaina Bell, who is a 24-year-old single mother of three, was arrested by police in Liberty Township, Ohio, on the grounds of reckless endangerment of her children. She had left them alone in order to work a shift at her job with restaurant chain 'Little Caesars'. As a single mother, she had no choice but to go out to work in order to provide for herself and her children.
Bell stated that she always had someone come and check on the children but that she couldn't risk losing her job, a position many people sympathise with given the current economic climate.
After being arrested, Bell was taken to the Turnbull County Jail and charged with two counts of endangering children. If convicted, she faces a fine of as much as $1,000 and could face 6-months in prison. She was released on bail from the jail after less than 24 hours.
The GoFundMe page that has brought in the money was set up by Bell's mother, Danielle Hosey. On the page, Hosey says:
"Shaina is a single mother of three young children. She works hard and she loves her family very much. On Thursday February 11, 2021 Shaina was arrested at her job and taken to jail for leaving two of her children (ages 10 and 2) alone in their hotel room while she went to work. She was released the next day but found herself in the need of immediate housing."
She adds:
"We understand that everyone has a story and we are grateful that you are listening to ours. From the bottom of our hearts we not only appreciate the financial contributions, but also the outpouring of support in the form of kind words and understanding."
Lets help this lady out, her name is Shaina Bell and shes really just trying her best to make ends meet and this is how they’re doing her. I found a gofundme linked to her situation and I will post below. https://t.co/SyqVvp6TG0
—  (@XAVALEXANDER) February 15, 2021
So far, there have been almost 4,000 individual donations from across the United States. Donors left comments, including:
"This is just not right. This poor woman is just trying to work to get her kids out of that motel. And we go arrest her? She wasn't partying or just going to get her nails done. She was working to try and provide her family with a better life. I know my donation isn't much but I sure do hope it helps."
And:
"I'm a single mother who understands her struggle. I've been faced with this issue millions of times. I've lost many jobs, experienced homelessness, lived in hotels at one time just like her. I've had an overall lowered quality of life due to a lack of affordable childcare and access to adequate resources. I'm not financially equipped to donate but I know this is a cause that's worth it. I know that change can happen when we share what little resources we do have."
Bell will now make a court appearance in April.
[h/t: I heart Intelligence]
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