CLEVELAND -- A mother who police said admitted to ignoring crossing gates near train tracks in Garfield Heights faced a judge on Wednesday.

Debra Thomas' daughter spent days in the hospital after the car they were in was hit by a speeding train. Police said Thomas ignored the warning and drove around the gates, putting her daughter in danger.

Thomas pleaded not guilty to three misdemeanor charges, including two traffic violations and child endangering.

Her daughter, 3-year-old Clarise, was in the back seat of the car when the train hit them.

Although Thomas said few words during her arraignment, she did make a statement to police at the time of the crash.

She told them she had already seen one train pass and the gate didn't go up. The report states she then watched another vehicle pass safely so she attempted to do the same, but didn't make it across.

A police officer who saw the crash stated that she did try to swerve when she saw the train coming.

Nonetheless, Clarise was injured in the collision. She is OK now and was released from the hospital, NewsChannel5 reported.

Thomas' next court appearance is scheduled for next month.