Mother accused of purposefully leaving 2-year-old son home alone in hot garage, exposing him to drugs

MESA, Ariz. (KPHO/Gray News) — A mother in Arizona is facing child abuse charges for allegedly leaving her toddler in a sweltering garage and exposing him to dangerous drugs late last month.

Police said that on July 29, a neighbor called 911 and reported that Amy Shellhammer, 32, left her 2-year-old alone in her garage.

Court documents state that Shellhammer texted her neighbor, “I’m leaving [child] is in the garage. I’m sicker than [expletive] ... he’s asleep.”

The neighbor told police that she was very worried since the garage had no air conditioning and was extremely hot.

When the neighbor went over to the home, she found the toddler asleep, but she had trouble waking him up. She said it took her 20 to 30 minutes to wake up the boy after getting him out of the hot garage, according to court documents.

On Aug. 1, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) took custody of the toddler. During a medical visit, officials discovered the boy had fentanyl, methamphetamine and THC in his system, court documents state.

In an interview with DCS officials, Shellhammer reportedly admitted that she smokes fentanyl, meth and marijuana over 10 times a day inside her home with her child nearby. Shellhammer said her son is “obviously exposed” when she smokes, court documents said.

Police said Shellhammer has a history of child abuse charges and that an order of protection signed in August 2025 requires her to stay 100 yards away from the boy.

Shellhammer was booked on one count of child abuse and one count of failing to comply with a court order. She is being held on a $35,000 bond.