Single mom 'tired of doing this by myself' abandoned 2 kids by roadside, authorities say
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
A North Carolina single mother who was “so tired of doing this by myself” was arrested this week after leaving her two young children by the side of a road last month, according to reports.
Jennifer Westfall, 38, is accused of dropping off her 9-year-old and 19-month-old in Wake County on Oct. 2, WTVD-TV of Durham, N.C., reported.
"I know what I did was wrong but I just, I was so tired of doing this by myself. I have the strength to do what I need to do but I don't have the skills to make the income that I need to take care of my family, and nobody will hire me. I've been around everywhere,” Westfall said, according to the station.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Westfall said she thought that she legally abandoned her children, the station reported.
She said she drove onto a school’s campus, dropped off her kids and watch a woman take them by the hand, which she incorrectly believed was a legal method of abandoning them, the report said.
But only infants a few days old can be left with another adult to be considered legally relinquished in North Carolina, according to WTVD-TV.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
The children are now safe and in foster care, the report said.
Westfall was charged with two counts of misdemeanor child abuse.
“And with these charges I just don't see how I'm ever getting my kids back," Westfall said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}