A North Carolina mother is seeking justice after her daughter was attacked and set on fire while walking to the store.  

The incident occurred on December 16, when an unidentified man doused 20-year-old Ashanti Downey with gasoline and ignited her as she was walking along Highway 27 toward the Dollar General in Sanford. 

Downey sustained severe burns over nearly three-quarters of her body and is currently in critical but stable condition at a specialized burn center. 

Her mother, Donecia Davis, expressed her devastation, questioning, "How could they do this to my baby?" 

Davis noted that her daughter, who turns 21 on New Year's Day, will soon undergo a third surgery. She emphasized, "No parent should have to see their child in the condition my daughter is in." 

Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats described the assault as one of the most heinous crimes his department has encountered. He told WRAL News, “It's just a nightmare for this family.” 

Authorities are still searching for a motive and are urging anyone with information to contact the Harnett County Sheriff's Office. 

A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist with Downey's medical expenses, raising over $65,870 of its $75,000 goal.