HENRICO COUNTY, Va (WTVR) -- Relatives of the Prince George County woman arrested on two counts of felony child neglect after her 20-month-old died and her two-month-old child was rushed to the hospital are breaking their silence.
Brittney Downing appeared via video before a Henrico County judge Wednesday morning and said she couldn't afford an attorney.
"I want them to know, that she is human, everybody is human," Antione Scott, Downing's uncle, said after the court hearing. "Unfortunately, this particular mistake cost the life of her son."
Scott said the family is devastated by the news that her oldest son had died on Sunday.
"He was a beautiful little boy and it's just so sad. It's just so sad this had to happen to him," Scott said outside the courthouse.
Scott said the family is working to set up a foundation to help single mothers find a babysitter when they have to go to work.
Sources told CBS 6 News that Sunday was Downing's third day on the job at a hotel in Henrico County. Those sources also said that she left her children in the car while she worked.
Shortly after arriving home in Prince George County, 911 was called for an unresponsive child.
Downing's two-month-old was rushed to VCU Medical Center and remains in critical condition in ICU.
Downing remains behind bars without bond.
RELATED:
- Mother charged in baby’s death faces other charges in 3 counties
- Baby found dead; 2-month-old rushed to hospital in Prince George
:
