Debra Harrell, the South Carolina woman who was arrested for allowing her daughter to play in a park while she worked, has been fired from her job.

Harrell, who cannot afford childcare, was working at McDonald’s when she was arrested. The company has not issued a statement regarding her firing.

From New York Magazine:

Harrell’s lawyer, Robert Phillips, told Think Progress that his client was fired from her position at McDonald’s, even though she was released on bond the day after she was arrested. A spokesperson for the fast-food chain declined to explain exactly why Harrell was let go.

In a situation already packed with absurd overreactions to Harrell’s perfectly reasonable — if not ideal — decision, this development seems particularly unfair, since she only left her kid alone (with a cell phone) because there was no one to care for her while she went to work. Meanwhile, Harrell and her daughter have been reunited, but the Department of Social Services is still required to investigate the case. An online fund-raiser started by some nice strangers has already raised over $26,000 for Harrell. Hopefully, the funds will be enough to tide her over until she can find a new employer.

Read more at New York Magazine

Click the link above to donate to Harrell’s cause.

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