Mom Who Left Baby In Car To Stand Trial
DETROIT (WWJ) - A Highland Park district judge has ordered Shayean Blackmon, 22, to stand trial in Wayne County Circuit Court on a charge of child abandonment. She allegedly left her infant daughter in a stranger's car and drove away.
The Detroit mother had been drinking at Monterey Park in Highland Park on May 9 and left the park without taking her daughter.
Blackmon's defense attorney, Tom Mengesha, admits she was drunk, but insists that Blackmon did not intend to abandon her baby. Mengesha hopes this case can be settled without having to go to trial.
"This case is about redemption," said Mengesha.
"My client has never tried to run away from the mistakes that she has made. Jesus teaches us that He that is without sin cast the first stone. We have all done things in our lives that we regret. What she has done is she has owned up to those mistakes."
The three-month old baby was in woman's care where she'd had been placed to shelter her from the wind. But, when the car owner yelled to Blackmon that she'd left her baby, the young mother kept driving. Blackmon turned herself in later that night.
"Kym Worthy, I hope you're listening to this," said Mengesha. "This is a young, 22-year-old mother who has made some mistakes, who is getting help for her alcohol problems and should get the help that she needs and not be imprisoned."
The state has placed Blackmon's infant daughter and four-year old son with relatives. She could be released on bond or a tether and is due in Circuit Court May 31.
