The Georgia dad arrested for leaving his three young children alone at a McDonald’s while he went for a job interview was allegedly not looking for work at the time of his arrest, authorities say.
Chris Louis, 24, was arrested in Augusta, Georgia, on March 22 after his kids, aged 10, 6 and 1, were found sitting alone at the McDonald’s for over an hour, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement to People.
Louis was detained by police and charged with deprivation of a minor, a misdemeanor.
At the time, the 24-year-old dad told authorities that he had filled out an application at the West Bank Inn next door earlier in the day and was waiting for a callback.
But now, in a police report obtained by the outlet, authorities claim that Louis was not at a job interview while his kids were at McDonald’s.
“A 10-year-old child stated that she, her father (Chris Louis), and her two siblings had walked to McDonald’s from [an apartment complex],” officials said in the report.
“She further stated that her father left to deliver a backpack to [the apartment complex] and told her he would return shortly. The child also mentioned that her father frequently left them alone.”
Authorities also went to the nearby inn where Louis said he had applied for a job.
“[The inn manager] confirmed that Mr. Louis came in on March 22, 2025, and completed a job application,” the report further stated.
“She also conducted an informal interview with him on that date. When asked if Mr. Louis would be expecting a callback for a formal interview, she stated no.”
Authorities further claim that security footage captured Louis leaving the inn hours before his kids were ultimately found at the McDonald’s that afternoon.
“Based on the video evidence and the timeline provided by all parties involved, it was determined that Mr. Louis was not engaged in a job interview or application process during the time the children were left unattended,” the sheriff’s office reportedly said.
“Furthermore, by his own admission, he was walking between McDonald’s and [an apartment complex] on foot during that period.”
“So, given the facts and timeline established through BWC footage, witness statements, and follow-up investigation, it was determined that a misdemeanor charge of Deprivation of a Minor was appropriate to ensure the welfare of the children and facilitate a review of the matter by the court,” the sheriff’s office added.
???? UPDATE: Our Letter Was Forwarded – Chris Louis ????
On April 1, 2025, I contacted DA Jared T. Williams to request the dismissal of charges against Unverified Freedman Chris Louis.
Today, DA Williams responded:
He confirmed that Mr. Louis’s case is a misdemeanor and falls… https://t.co/H7iBv3wMOD pic.twitter.com/gzPKXwF1dB
— Arthur Watkins Jr. ???????? (@arthurwatkins) April 1, 2025
News of Louis’ arrest went viral, with many online arguing that he had been trying to support his children by going to the job interview.
Former NFL star Antonio Brown even started a GoFundMe on the 24-year-old dad’s behalf, which, as of this writing, has raised over $78,000.
Brown said he spoke to Louis’ girlfriend after his arrest, and she claimed they were homeless and that Louis had, in fact, attended the job interview.
“Story caught me by surprise,” Brown wrote. “A dad just trying to find a way to make money for his family. I know he shouldn’t just leave his kids, but some people don’t have the means for babysitting, etc. This GoFundMe is set in place to help this man.”
Still working on an update on Chris
I know he did for a fact attend a job interview after leaving his kids
And I know that the family has been homeless since November
Still trying to work out other details on the timeline & story
Will keep in touch with updates
If you do…
— AB (@AB84) April 3, 2025
