The woman who police say hit a 5-year-old girl on the side of the road last November and tried driving off is now facing charges after test results show she was high on meth.
Regina Shelton drove across one entire lane of traffic on November 4, striking Jasira Santos, causing severe head trauma.
The young girl spent more than two months in the hospital, but is now recovering from her injuries at home.
"Someone has done something really dumb, and it has changed someone's life forever," said Deputy Chief Andy Ray of the Auburndale Police Department.
Ray said they suspected Shelton was on something that day, but needed the proof.
It took three months, but he said they finally got the results on Thursday that she had enough meth in her system to make her impaired.
Ray said a sergeant on the case notified the family right after making the arrest.
"I assured them months ago that we would do our very best, and we would be thorough, and I told them don't expect a really quick outcome -- but expect a good one," he said.
At her first appearance Friday, the judge set her bond at $30,000 dollars.
Afterward, our cameras rolled as she started to break down, even motioning to the deputy that she wanted to leave.
Her attorney, Zonald Spinks, indicated there's more to the story.
"What we're looking to do is really find the truth of the matter at hand," he said.
Santos' father was not available for an interview, but told ABC Action News one month ago that his daughter was improving.
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