Charges Dropped, Conditionally, Against Shanesha Taylor

[Content Note: Misogynoir; criminalization of need.]

Shanesha Taylor, the woman who was arrested and forcibly separated from her children after leaving them in the car out of necessity while she went to a job interview, "will have her case dismissed if she successfully completes a diversion program, according to a statement from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office."

The agreement requires Taylor to complete parenting and substance-abuse classes and to establish an education and child-care account for her children, according to Montgomery's office. Taylor has to submit documentation of the accounts to prosecutors to ensure the conditions are met, according to Montgomery's office.

If Taylor fails to live up to the terms of the agreement, Montgomery said the criminal charges against Taylor would be reinstated.

This is terrific news, aside from the fact that she's being required to complete a diversion program that has fuck-all to do with the reasons she left her children in the car.

I don't believe that a diversion program should be a condition of Taylor's release, but, let's just say for shits and giggles that it's a great idea. Why wasn't it a great idea to privately coordinate with her the need to complete a diversion program to avoid criminal charges before arresting her and publishing her mugshot and taking her kids away and obliging the public to raise hell in opposition to her arrest?

That is, of course, a rhetorical question.

I sincerely doubt that Shanesha Taylor will ever read this, but, just in case she does: Your story falling out of the news may well be both a blessing and a curse. If you ever need help without accompanying infamy, please know you will be remembered here. I will offer whatever I can.

[H/T to @prisonculture, who has been an absolute champion for Shanesha, and on whose invaluable work at Justice for Shanesha I relied to keep informed about the status of her case.]