Infant Killed at Little Rock Home Daycare; Owner Arrested
Little Rock police say an 8-month-old boy, later identified as Elijah Flowerday, was found unresponsive at a home daycare on December 30, 2025, and later pronounced dead at a hospital. Investigators have classified the death as a homicide and arrested 23-year-old daycare owner Erin Sauls on a capital murder charge, a case that raises urgent questions about background checks, oversight, and safety at unregulated child care settings.
Authorities responded to a home daycare in Little Rock on December 30, 2025, after an 8-month-old boy was discovered unresponsive. Emergency responders transported the infant to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police later identified the child as Elijah Flowerday and announced the death had been ruled a homicide.
Investigators arrested the daycare owner, 23-year-old Erin Sauls, the same day. According to the incident report, Sauls allegedly told police she had slammed the baby's head on the floor multiple times while changing his diaper, saying she was frustrated and had a headache. Medical findings reported by investigators were consistent with blunt-force trauma, including skull fractures and brain bleeding. Sauls appeared in court on December 31, 2025, entered a not-guilty plea to a capital murder charge, and was held without bail. The investigation and pending prosecution remain ongoing.
This case has immediate community implications. Home-based child care remains a vital service for many families, but it also presents oversight challenges. Parents and guardians rely on trust, screening, and transparent operations when placing infants and toddlers in someone else’s care. The violent death of an infant in a provider’s care underscores the need for clear verification of licensing, background checks, and emergency response plans.
If you use a home daycare or are evaluating child care options, check whether the provider is licensed or registered with your state or local licensing authority and ask for proof. Request documentation of staff background checks and inquire about training in infant care and first aid. Observe staff-to-child ratios during visits, ask about discipline and stress-management policies, and clarify how providers handle emergencies. If you see signs of abuse or neglect, report them immediately to local law enforcement and child protective services.
Family members of the child have established a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs, and community support is active while the legal process moves forward. As the case proceeds, expect more information to emerge through court filings and official investigative updates. Verify facts through official notices from law enforcement or the prosecutor’s office before sharing details, and take practical steps now to confirm the safety and credentials of anyone caring for young children in your community.
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