(ATMORE, Ala.) An Atmore mother is in jail after police say she dropped her 8-month-old daughter into a bonfire.
It happened early Saturday morning behind her home in the 600 block of Bream Street.
Police say Amanda Pugh, 26, had been drinking when she passed out in front of the fire and dropped the baby.
Officials at USA Medical Center say the infant, Zaida Martinez, is still in fair condition. She has burns on both her legs.
Family members at the hospital didn't want to talk to the media, but neighbors had plenty to say.
Tuesday morning, scattered beer cans and a cooler remain in the backyard.
"It was horrible, it was really horrible," said neighbor Shirley Boatwright. "If you're not going to be straight and try to take care of your child then I don't think you need to have one, that's my opinion."
It's a sentiment felt by many parents throughout the neighborhood.
"As a mom, I don't think people should be having kids around when they're doing drugs and alcohol. And any mother that abuses their kids like that, they shouldn't have their kids," said another neighbor, Inez Nichols.
Nichols lives a couple houses down from Pugh and her boyfriend. She says there are often several children at the house.
"There have been a couple incidents down there at that house. One I've seen myself, others I've heard of, all concerning the kids. And I just feel like she's not taking care of them," said Nichols.
Now, The Escambia County Department of Human Resources is involved in the investigation.
"We'll keep praying for them and all because prayers get answered everyday," said Boatwright.
Pugh is charged with first degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Her bond is set at $15,000.
