PHOENIX – Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery will dismiss child abuse charges against Shanesha Shaine Taylor (D.O.B. 1/22/1979) if she successfully completes parenting and substance abuse treatment programs and establishes education and child care trust fund accounts for her children. Taylor has agreed to these terms which are detailed in the State’s motion for suspension of prosecution. Her compliance with the agreement will be monitored by the court and the County Attorney’s Office.

“Based on all the facts and circumstances in this matter, we believe this agreement represents a just resolution that appropriately holds the defendant accountable for her actions while also recognizing the best interests of her family,” said County Attorney Montgomery. “The stipulations of this agreement also ensure that pledges of support from members of the public will have a meaningful and positive impact,” he added.

Shanesha Taylor was charged with two counts of child abuse, a class 3 felony and domestic violence offense, for intentionally or knowingly endangering the health of two of her children on March 20, 2014 by leaving them strapped in their car seats unattended in a parked vehicle with an estimated interior temperature of over 100 degrees.

Under terms of the agreement to defer prosecution, Taylor will be required to successfully complete Child Abuse Diversion and Substance Abuse Diversion programs through Community Health Services. She must also establish an education trust fund for the sole benefit of her children and a child care trust account to provide funds to pay for child care at a state licensed day care facility. Documentation of the trust accounts must be submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review to ensure the conditions are met and that the accounts are appropriately funded.

If Taylor fails to comply with the terms of the agreement, the County Attorney’s Office will proceed with prosecution of the charges filed against her.

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