An Arkansas woman faces capital murder charges following the tragic death of an 8-month-old boy under her care, authorities announced.
Erin Sauls, 23, was operating a daycare from her Little Rock residence when Elijah Flowerday was discovered unresponsive on Tuesday. He was later pronounced dead. According to KATV, the infant suffered multiple brain bleeds and a skull fracture, injuries Sauls reportedly admitted to inflicting by hitting his head against a hardwood floor three times.
Sauls allegedly told investigators she acted out of frustration and a headache while changing the child’s diaper, leading to the violent incident.
The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that after the injury, Flowerday became overheated and sweaty. Sauls purportedly attempted to soothe him with a bottle, but tragically found him not breathing just 15 minutes later.
Police consulted a doctor who indicated that Flowerday’s fatal injuries were sustained after being left in Sauls’s care. His mother confirmed that he was healthy when she dropped him off that day.
Sauls remains in custody without bond following a court order on Wednesday. She is scheduled to appear in court again on January 13.
[Feature Photo: Little Rock police; GoFundMe]
