Woman Running In-Home Day Care Charged in Baby’s Death, Told Police She Had a Headache
Background: The home in Little Rock, Ark., where Erin Sauls ran a day care center (KATV). Inset (left): Erin Sauls (Little Rock Police Department). Inset (right): Elijah Flowerday (GoFundMe).
An Arkansas woman has been charged with capital murder following the death of an 8-month-old baby who was in her care.
Erin Sauls, 23, operated an in-home day care in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she watched several children. On Tuesday morning, Sauls was caring for 8-month-old Elijah Flowerday when police were called to her home after reports that the infant had stopped breathing, according to an arrest report obtained by local ABC affiliate KATV.
Elijah was transported to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Police said the child suffered a skull fracture and multiple brain injuries. Investigators reported that Sauls admitted she struck the baby’s head against a hardwood floor while changing his diaper, telling officers she was frustrated and had a headache at the time.
Sauls was arrested Wednesday and charged with capital murder. She was denied bail and remains held at the Pulaski County Detention Facility. Her next court date is scheduled for Feb. 27.
Local NBC affiliate KARK interviewed Aliyah Fulton, who previously used Sauls’ day care for her two toddlers. Fulton said she initially stopped bringing her children due to frequent cancellations but later gave Sauls another chance. Ultimately, she decided to stop using the service in October 2025 after feeling uneasy about returning.
Fulton also told KARK that some parents believed Sauls may have been caring for more than five children at a time, which would violate state law for unlicensed day care providers. Neighbors interviewed by KATV said they did not believe Sauls had exceeded that limit.
Although Fulton described Sauls as a “really sweet person,” she said that if Sauls is convicted, she believes she should receive a life sentence.
The Flowerday family has launched a GoFundMe to help cover Elijah’s funeral expenses.
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