Woman arrested in toddler’s hit-and-run death in Gastonia

Police have arrested a woman in the Dec. 23 hit-and-run death of a Gastonia toddler who had wandered into the street outside her home.

Riley Ann Bradley, 21 months, died nearly a week after she was hit by a car on Westbrook Circle near Sherwood Avenue.

Police said Friday they charged Donna Jane Hayes, 46, of Gastonia with felony hit and run and misdemeanor death by vehicle.

Hayes was driving a 2015 Chrysler on Westbrook Circle at about 10:40 a.m. when Riley was hit, police said.

“We are going to miss Riley...the happiest, prettiest baby that I have ever met, but she is now the happiest, prettiest baby in heaven with our creator,” her family says on a Go Fund Me page that’s raising money for Riley’s medical bills and funeral expenses.

This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 3:00 PM with the headline "Woman arrested in toddler’s hit-and-run death in Gastonia."