MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A mother is behind bars accused of doing drugs inside a Burger King bathroom while her toddler was in the parking lot.
An employee told police Stephanie Hamilton walked out of the bathroom with a syringe dangling from her arm and got in her car.
It happened Tuesday afternoon on East Brooks near the airport.
The employee called the cops when she said the woman passed out in the driver’s seat with the child still in the back of the car.
Witnesses said Hamilton stuffed the syringe in her shirt before the cops pulled up.
Her plan didn’t work though. Police said they found the needle and more prescription pills on the passenger seat.
According to court records, Hamilton told paramedics, “I was scared when you guys pulled up and I hid the needle.”
She went on to say, “I bought the drugs off Getwell and drove here to shoot up!”
“Absolutely glad the kid is okay, and unfortunately, mom has to pay a penalty for her bad decision,” said Michelle Robinson, who is a mother of two.
Hamilton is charged with child abuse and neglect and multiple drug charges
This isn’t her first time in trouble with the law either. She’s been arrested before for drugs, public intoxication and theft.
“If you are going to do stuff like that, you know you can’t take care of a child,” said Burger King customer and mother Arriya Cowan.
The DCS gave the two-year-old girl to a family friend.
Mothers told WREG they’re glad the employee was on alert before something even worse happened.
“We need more like her. It takes a village to raise kids, and it’s important everyone is involved in the best interest of kids,” said Robinson.
Hamilton is being held on a $7,500 bond. She’s expected in court on November 5.
WREG went to her address listed on court records, but the man who answered the door said she hasn’t lived there in at least five years.