A 29-year-old mother of three is in jail after being stopped while texting as she drove along a Los Angeles freeway with her 1-year-old daughter on her lap, according to news reports from the Southland.

Shawndeeia Bowen (photo) is charged with suspicion of child endangerment. She told officers Tuesday that the baby was crying so she pulled her up to the driver's seat to calm her, KTLA-TV says. Another motorist on I-405 called 911.

Police said Bowen had her cellphone in hand and baby on lap when they pulled her over. They also found a 2-year-old boy in an unsecured car seat and a 4-year-old girl who was not wearing a seat belt.

"I've never heard of anything like this before, and based on how dangerous it is, I hope we never hear about anything like this again," said Lt. Steve D'Anjou of the Torrance Police Department.

KTLA says records show that during the past three years Bowen has had two accidents and numerous citations, including not using child restraints, not having insurance, not wearing a seat belt and not having a valid license. She also has missed nine court dates.

State authorities have taken her children into protective custody.