Mother hits baby and leaves him alone in the car in freezing temperatures

Raleigh (North Carolina) - It wouldn't have taken long for the child to freeze to death. Fortunately, it was rescued from the vehicle. The young mother now has to answer for her actions in court.

The child suffered several bruises and scratches on her face from the blows, and a day later she was left in the car in freezing temperatures. (symbolic image)
The child suffered several bruises and scratches on her face from the blows, and a day later she was left in the car in freezing temperatures. (symbolic image)  © Nicolas Armer/dpa

As the US news channel"WRAL News" reports, the 21-year-old mother left her six-week-old baby in her car in a McDonald's parking lot while she went to work. The incident took place at the end of November, and the temperatures in the region were correspondingly low.

Neither the car itself nor the parking heater was switched on. The child was therefore exposed to the freezing temperatures without any protection.

The young mother was not unknown to the authorities. One day before the crime, she was reported for the first time for hitting her baby in the face.

Neither the current condition nor the current whereabouts of the child are currently public.

Nikita Jones was taken into custody by the police last Monday.

The young mother is now standing trial for "intentional child abuse causing serious bodily harm".