A South Carolina woman has had her child taken from her by authorities and wound up in jail for using a public park as free daycare.

Debra Harrell of North Augusta was arrested after police learned she was regularly leaving her nine-year-old daughter at a nearby park for hours at a time while she worked at McDonald’s.

Harrell, 46, has been charged with unlawful conduct towards a child, who is now with child protective services.

The mother claims it was her daughter’s idea to leave her at Summerfield Park, following a robbery at their home. The child was given a cell phone in case of emergencies and reportedly not harmed while alone in Summerfield. She also would walk a mile and a half to eat lunch at McDonald’s.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

North Augusta Mother Charged With Unlawful Conduct Towards A Child (by Deon Guillory, WJBF)

Mom Jailed For Leaving Her Child In A Park While She Worked At McDonalds (by Bryce Covert, Think Progress)