ATLANTA - Nakia Burgess had a new job as a transcriptionist at an Atlanta office, but she didn't have anyone to take care of her three-year-old girl. <br>
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Her plan, according to her lawyer: Park the car, strap Ashante -- who had Down's Syndrome -- in a carseat, crack the windows and stick around long enough to keep her job, checking on her daughter whenever possible. <br>
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The first time she went to the car, Burgess found the toddler playing with a chalkboard. But by the time she returned again, less than 90 minutes after arriving at work, she found Ashante unconscious. <br>
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The child died after arriving at a hospital, where doctors said her temperature was 108 degrees. Police charged the 28-year-old Burgess with murder and cruelty to children. <br>
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The high temperature in Atlanta was 85, and temperatures inside cars closed cars can climb 40 degrees higher. The windows were cracked, but the car was exposed to the sun. <br>
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Burgess' attorney, Phinia Aten, said her client is not a murderer. <br>
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Aten said, ``She is extremely remorseful about what happened. This was her only child. At this point, her life has no meaning to her.'' <br>
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Burgess moved to Georgia from the Trenton, New Jersey area in February. She had been living with her sister and earning money through temporary jobs and Ashante's Social Security disability payments -- from $50 to $100 a month. <br>
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Aten said Burgess was supposed to start a new temporary job Monday, but she was having trouble finding affordable child care. <br>
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Burgess wept during a brief hearing today and was placed on suicide watch at the Atlanta-Fulton County Jail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for November 5.
