Dad Arrested For Leaving Young Children At McDonald’s While Attending Job Interview

Chris Louis, a 24-year-old father from Georgia, USA, was arrested after leaving his three young children unattended at a McDonald’s while attending a nearby job interview. According to reports from The Augusta Press, Louis 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. Authorities were called after employees noticed the children alone in the restaurant, prompting police intervention.

While Louis was away attending his job interview, the children remained inside the McDonald’s, which had an indoor play area. A concerned customer observed Louis briefly returning to check on his children before leaving again, and then contacted authorities. Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene to find the children unharmed but alone. The children stayed at the restaurant under police supervision until their father returned just before 6:20 p.m. Officers confronted Louis upon his return, leading to his arrest for child endangerment.

Louis, who does not own a car, explained to police that he left his children at McDonald’s to prevent them from having to walk home while he attended his job interview. After the authorities arrived, the children’s mother came to take them home. Louis was subsequently arrested and charged with deprivation of a minor.

The incident attracted significant attention online, including a response from former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, who commented on the situation.

“Story caught me by surprise. 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.,” Brown wrote on GoFundMe.

Antonio Brown, 36, mentioned that while he has not yet spoken to Chris Louis, he hopes to do so soon. To support the father, Brown set up a fundraiser, ensuring that all the proceeds would go directly to Louis. This gesture aimed to assist Louis, who was facing financial struggles following his arrest.

“Chris was on the Pursuit of Happiness & sometimes people just need help,” Brown posted on X. The father of six also personally donated $1,000 to the fundraiser.

The GoFundMe campaign, launched late Tuesday night, quickly gained traction, raising over $28,000 toward its $50,000 goal within the first five hours.

The arrest has sparked widespread debate on social media, with many users expressing sympathy for Louis, questioning the severity of the charges given the circumstances of the situation.

Another added, “Yeah, it’s a little iffy on the 1-year-old, but dude was trying to get a job. Give him a break.”

“I know it’s a desperate situation, and the brother made a mistake, but an understandable one. All he could think about was the hope of a job,” a third user shared.

Another comment read, “Dude was literally doing the best he could with what he has. I commend him for that. It’s not easy.”