I’m on the fence with this story. Yes, the woman was wrong to leave her two kids cooped up in a car in 90° weather. Actually, I’ll take it a step further, it was irresponsible.  But, what makes this story so disturbingly a sign of the times is I’m sure the mom weighed the risks of her children possibly suffering heat stroke and dehydration with losing out on a rare chance (in this economy) at a job. How can you possibly flip that coin and come out a winner?

Shanesha Taylor lost big time: her freedom, her two kids (two-year-old boy and six month baby) and likely the job at the insurance company she interviewed for. Yet, gained the sympathy of those people shaking their heads and raising eyebrows at her tragic choice. Global Grind reported New Jerseyans Amanda Brown did more than that; she set up the Shanesha Taylor Fundraiser site because she’s been in the same shoes as the young mom:

“I had a mother and family in general who struggled raising us and had to rely on other resources to provide for us and sometimes made not the greatest choices.”

So far the site has raised $99,436, surpassing a goal of $9,000, going towards Shanesha’s well-being. The young mom has posted bail– thanks to the generosity of a local Arizona church–and will continue keeping tabs on her progress.

Click here to donate and learn more about her story.

Would you donate money to Shanesha considering what she did? Do you think she’s the poster child for the unemployed and homeless problem in this country?