My question involves child abuse or neglect in the State of: NJ
my friend, a mother of 2 year old, was charged with Endangerment of the life of the child "2C:24-4A(2)".
, where toddler was left in the car locked at 80 F, for 5 minutes.
The lawyer she contacted asked for $20k before the trial day and same amount for the trial day, totaling $40k.
These amount seems unrealistic financially.
She has a stable family and she's a reasonable person. She might not be familiar with the NJ law, since she's only few years in US. She might not be familiar with statistics on heat-related health threats to toddlers.
The child was difficult to go to mid-day nap on that day and it took longer than usual. As she was driving to get him asleep, and as he got asleep, she needed to go to bathroom. She stopped at the store she new has a bathroom. The air conditioner was working during the ride and it was cold inside the car. Car has tinted heat-reflective windows.
She's still feeding the child at night, waking up several times.
I'd appreciate any reasonable advise on this. She's devastated by the hard news about possible convictions.
She loves her child.
Thanks.

