A Raleigh mother is facing multiple charges after allegedly punching her 6-week-old baby in the face and leaving the infant alone in a car in 40-degree weather while she worked at a McDonald’s restaurant.
Nikita Jones, 21, has been charged with misdemeanor child abuse and intentional child abuse resulting in serious physical injury. According to warrants, Jones left her unrestrained infant in the backseat of a parked car while she worked at the McDonald’s on East South Street in downtown Raleigh. The car was not running, and the temperature outside was as low as 40 degrees.
The incidents, which took place on November 20 and 21, are said to have included Jones hitting the baby in the face the day before, leaving the infant with bruising around both eyes, swelling, and a scratch on the face.
Jones was arrested on Monday after the Raleigh Police Department issued two warrants for her arrest. She was placed in jail with a bond set at $35,000.
As of now, it is unclear how long the baby was left in the car, but experts say that hypothermia can set in quickly in cold temperatures.
Dr. Ryan Lamb, medical director and chair of emergency medicine at UNC Rex Holly Springs, explained that while it would take several hours for a car’s interior to cool to dangerous levels in 40-degree weather, infants are more vulnerable to temperature changes than adults.
“An appropriately dressed person in 40-degree weather has hours to stay warm,” said Dr. Lamb. “But infants can’t regulate their temperature as well, and they have a larger body surface area compared to their body mass, meaning they lose heat more quickly.”
Hypothermia in infants can progress rapidly, especially if they are wet, such as from a soiled diaper. “Anything wet will dramatically change how fast hypothermia sets in,” Dr. Lamb added.
Signs of mild hypothermia include increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and shaking. If untreated, hypothermia can lead to a drop in heart rate and blood pressure, eventually causing the body to shut down.
Leaving children in cars in extreme weather, whether hot or cold, is a significant safety risk. This week, the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons also issued a warning to parents about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, even for brief periods. The center highlighted that children have been abducted from cars or taken during car thefts, particularly during the busy holiday season.
“Even short stops, like picking up food or running errands, can create opportunities for tragedy,” the center said. “Vehicle thieves act quickly, targeting running vehicles regardless of who or what is inside.”
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