North Carolina Mom Arrested After She Allegedly Punched Her Newborn and Then Left the Child in Her Car While She Worked!

A North Carolina mother has been arrested after she was accused of punching her newborn daughter in the face and leaving her unattended for hours.

Police say that the incident happened on November 21st when they were called to a Raleigh McDonald's for a report that a baby had been left n a vehicle. When they arrived they found the infant in a locked car, that wasn't running, in 40 degree weather, unrestrained. Reports say that the baby had visible bruising around her eyes and scratches to her face that could not have been self inflicted.

The person they felt was responsible for the injuries was the child's own mother. The young woman had simply pulled into the parking lot of the McDonald's, turned her car off and went in to the building to work. All while allegedly knowing her baby was left in the car.

Nikita Jones, 21, was taken into custody Dec. 2 after police issued two warrants for her arrest on one count of misdemeanor child abuse and one felony count of intentional child abuse causing serious physical injury.

Details about the baby’s current condition were not available, and it is unknown how long she was in the car before she was found.

Jones was jailed and held on a $50,000 secured bond for the felony and $5,000 for the misdemeanor, according to court records obtained by WNCN, a local CBS affiliate. Her next court date is Dec. 10, when she will be arraigned for the felony charge. She will appear in court again on Dec. 19 for the misdemeanor.

Clearly this young woman needs some type of help and we're praying that she gets it. No word on who has custody of the child but we hope she's safe and being cared for properly. Thankfully she's too young to remember any of this.