A father of three from Georgia has been arrested after leaving his young children unattended at a McDonald’s while he attended a nearby job interview.
Chris Louis, 24, allegedly walked with his children—aged 1, 6, and 10—from their apartment to the fast-food restaurant in Augusta before 4:30 p.m. on March 22, according to The Augusta Press.
While Louis was inside the restaurant, the children remained there, playing in the establishment’s indoor play area. A concerned customer observed Louis leaving the restaurant, briefly checking on his children before departing again, and subsequently contacted law enforcement.
Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies arrived to find the children safe but unaccompanied. The children stayed under police supervision until their father returned shortly before 6:20 p.m., at which point the officers confronted him.
Louis, who does not own a vehicle, explained to police that he had left his children at McDonald’s to spare them the walk home while he attended the interview.
The children’s mother later arrived to take them home, while Louis was arrested and charged with deprivation of a minor.
His arrest has gained significant attention online, including from former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.
“The story caught me by surprise. A dad just trying to find a way to support his family. I know he shouldn’t have left his kids, but some people don’t have the means for babysitting,” Brown wrote on GoFundMe.
Brown, 36, noted that he hadn’t yet spoken with Louis but hoped to do so. He created a fundraiser to assist the struggling father, ensuring that all proceeds would go directly to him.
“Chris was on the Pursuit of Happiness, and sometimes people just need help,” Brown posted on X. He also personally donated $1,000 to the fundraiser.
Launched late Tuesday night, the GoFundMe campaign quickly raised over $28,000 toward its $50,000 goal within the first five hours.
The arrest has sparked a debate on social media, with many users expressing sympathy for Louis. “You just can’t leave your kids like that, but I understand how this happened. There are a lot of questions,” one user commented.
Another added, “It’s a bit concerning with the 1-year-old, but the guy was just trying to get a job. Cut him some slack.”
“I know it’s a desperate situation, and he made a mistake, but it was understandable. All he could think about was the hope of a job,” shared another user.
A further comment read, “He was doing the best he could with what he had. I commend him for that. It’s not easy.”
