Local

Police: Woman hit 16-month-old with car, left scene

OCALA, Fla. — Ocala police said a driver hit a 16-month-old girl on Sunday, who later died at a hospital.

Police said Shenneka Lofton was backing out of the driveway of a home on NW 15th Avenue in Ocala and struck Samaya Bradford.

Investigators said Lofton then picked up Bradford, took her inside the house to a babysitter, and then drove away.

Lofton said she didn't want to go to jail for not having a driver's license.

"She probably wouldn't be facing as many charges, obviously, if she had just stayed there," said Lt. Billy Woods of the Ocala Police Department.

Investigators said Lofton's mother convinced her to drive back to the scene.

Lofton was arrested on charges of leaving the accident and for driving without a license.

Lofton bonded out of jail.

WFTV went to her home to talk with to her about what happened.

The person who answered the door would only say that they're really upset about the terrible accident.