An Arkansas woman has been charged with murder in connection with the death of an 8-month-old baby in her care.
Erin Sauls, who ran a childcare facility out of her home, was arrested on Tuesday, December 30, after officers responded to a call that a baby — later identified as Elijah Flowerday — was not breathing. The child was transported to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
It’s since been discovered that the young boy suffered “a skull fracture and multiple brain bleeds,” per the arrest report obtained by KATV. During the investigation, Sauls, 23, told police that she had been “frustrated and had a headache” while changing the baby’s diaper when she hit his head “three times against the hardwood floor,” allegedly resulting in the child’s fatal injuries.
Sauls is currently being held without bail at the Pulaski County Detention Facility in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her next court date is scheduled for February 27.
Aliyah Fulton, who previously enrolled her own two children in Sauls’ daycare last year, told NBC affiliate KARK that while she thought Sauls was a “really sweet person,” she had gotten a bad feeling about the 23-year-old from very early on.
“Something was telling me literally on my car ride home to pick up my boys, like don’t go back to her,” she explained at the time.
Fulton also allegedly heard from other parents that Sauls had taken in more than five children in her home at a time, which is illegal for an unlicensed daycare owner in Arkansas.
According to childcare registration requirements found on Arkansas.gov, although someone caring for five or fewer children isn’t required by law to be licensed, “if at any time care is provided to six or more children from more than one family, the law requires the provider to be licensed.”
“The caregiver’s own preschool children shall be considered when determining the need for a license or registration,” it continued. “The caregiver’s own school age children are not considered when determining the need for a license or registration.”
It is unclear whether she was watching any children of her own, however, Sauls’ neighbors told KATV that they didn’t think she had more than five children in her care at once.
Fulton began using her services in July 2025 and decided to end their business relationship that October after Sauls canceled on her several times. If convicted, she said she believes the former daycare operator should serve the rest of her life behind bars.
“In a way, I was just so desperate for someone to watch my kids, and now I’m just so much more alert now that this has happened,” she added. “She doesn’t deserve to see the light of day again.”
Earlier this month, a GoFundMe was created to help the Flowerday family pay for funeral expenses and for counseling services for their other child as they process this “unimaginable loss.” As of Saturday, January 3, the fundraiser has received more than $12,000 in donations.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
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