Arkansas Daycare Owner Charged with Capital Murder in Infant's Death
A home daycare owner in Little Rock, Arkansas, is facing a capital murder charge after allegedly battering an eight-month-old baby to death, according to police reports and court documents. The tragic incident has left a family grieving and sparked a legal battle that could involve the death penalty.
Details of the Alleged Crime
Erin Sauls, 23, was arrested in December 2025 following an investigation into the death of Elijah Flowerday, an infant under her care. Police responded to a call from her home daycare on December 30, 2025, where they found Elijah unresponsive. Despite attempts to perform CPR, the baby later died at a local hospital, as reported by KARK.
Authorities state that Sauls allegedly confessed to the crime, telling them she was "frustrated and had a headache," which led her to repeatedly bash the baby's head against a hardwood floor. This alleged confession matched the injuries sustained by Elijah, which included skull fractures and brain bleeds, according to police findings.
Legal Proceedings and Family Response
Sauls was arrested on the same day as the incident and made her first court appearance on December 31, 2025, where she pleaded not guilty to the capital murder charge. She reappeared in court recently for a plea and arraignment hearing, with a bond hearing scheduled for June 5.
Elijah's family attended the hearing, with his aunt, Brianna Russell, expressing their desire for justice. "She pled not guilty," Russell told KARK. "Right now, we have the decision of the death penalty even being an option." Russell recalled the horrific moment she learned of her nephew's death, describing a phone call where family members were screaming, and her sister repeated, "she killed her baby."
Community Support and Ongoing Impact
A GoFundMe campaign set up for Elijah has raised nearly $18,000 of a $20,000 goal to support the grieving family. The page notes that the tragedy has left Elijah's parents, Isaac and Trinity, and his brother Laylon heartbroken as they navigate their loss. "The days ahead will be incredibly difficult as they try to find comfort and healing together as a family," the fundraiser states.
Russell emphasized the family's need for accountability, saying, "You just want like some kind of responsibility, someone to take the responsibility and the punishment. I think she deserves fair and just punishment." Sauls had been operating the daycare out of her home in Little Rock, adding a layer of community concern to the case.
