URGENT UPDATE: A daycare worker in Arkansas has been arrested and charged with murder after allegedly causing the death of an 8-month-old baby. Erin Sauls, 23, was taken into custody on December 30, 2025, following an emergency call reporting that Elijah Flowerday was not breathing.
Authorities responded quickly, transporting the infant to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Investigators revealed shocking details, stating that Elijah suffered from a skull fracture and multiple brain bleeds as indicated in the arrest report obtained by KATV.
During police questioning, Sauls confessed to hitting the baby’s head against the hardwood floor “three times” while changing his diaper, citing frustration and a headache as her reasons. This brutal act has sparked outrage among the community and raises serious questions about childcare safety standards.
Sauls is currently being held without bail at the Pulaski County Detention Facility in Little Rock. Her next court appearance is slated for February 27.
Parents in the area have expressed their shock and disbelief. Aliyah Fulton, who enrolled her two children in Sauls’ daycare last year, described her as a “really sweet person” but admitted she had a bad feeling about Sauls from the start. “Something was telling me literally on my car ride home… like don’t go back to her,” Fulton shared with NBC affiliate KARK.
Concerns have emerged about Sauls’ operation of an unlicensed daycare, as previous reports suggested she was exceeding the legal limit by caring for more than five children at a time. Arkansas law stipulates that any caregiver looking after six or more children must be licensed, raising alarms about oversight in daycare facilities across the state.
In light of this tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Elijah’s family with funeral costs and counseling services for their other child. The fundraiser has already raised over $12,000 as the community rallies to support the grieving family.
As this case develops, it underscores the critical need for stringent regulations in childcare facilities to prevent such heart-wrenching incidents. If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, please contact the Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
Stay tuned for further updates as this tragic story unfolds.
