Chris Louis, a 24-year-old father from Augusta, Georgia, was arrested after leaving his three children alone at a McDonald’s while he attended a job interview nearby. The kids, ages 1, 6, and 10, were found unsupervised at the restaurant, leading police to charge Chris with “deprivation of a minor.”
Chris, who doesn’t own a car, walked with his children to McDonald’s and left them there so they wouldn’t have to walk back and forth. He returned several times before being detained by police. The children’s mother arrived later to pick them up.
The arrest has sparked a debate about how tough it is for low-income parents to find work without affordable childcare. Many online have supported Chris, saying he was just trying to provide for his family.
Former NFL player Antonio Brown donated $1,000 and launched a fundraiser for Chris, which quickly raised over $28,000. Some criticized Chris’s choice, but others defended him, calling for better support for struggling parents.
Chris, a father of six, remains in custody as his story continues to gain national attention.