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A father of three living in Augusta, Ga., has been hit with a misdemeanor charge after leaving his children at a McDonald’s PlayPlace, initially claiming he did so to attend a job interview. Considering the circumstances, many assumed the father would be let off the hook. It appears, however, that he attended the job interview hours before dropping his kids off unsupervised, leading authorities to question his true whereabouts.
WJBF reports that witnesses saw Chris Louis, 24, arrive to the McDonald’s in question with his children — ages 10, 6 and 1 — around 4:30PM on March 22. The 10-year-old told officers that they walked to the fast food spot from The Hendrix Apartments.
“She further stated that her father left to deliver a backpack to The Hendrix Apartments and told her he would return shortly,” the supplemental report released April 2 from The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office stated. Eventually, the 10-year-old contacted their mother, who met them at the restaurant at 6:12PM, just minutes before Louis returned at 6:18PM. Louis was arrested upon his return.
A deputy for the sheriff’s office then paid a visit to the West Bank Inn, speaking to the manager who interviewed Louis earlier that day. “She confirmed that Mr. Louis came in on March 22, 2025, and completed a job application. 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,’” the report stated.
Finally, they checked the establishment’s security camera, showing Louis was in the office from 1:12PM to 1:37PM, three hours before he left his children alone at the fast food chain.
Azusa, CA, Monday, April 1, 2024 – McDonalds located on Rte. 66. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“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. Furthermore, by his own admission, he was walking between McDonald’s and The Hendrix Apartments on foot during that period,” the sheriff’s office stated.
“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. This charge ensures that all parties have an opportunity to appear before a judge to determine if the children are receiving appropriate care.”
Many were empathetic to the father’s circumstance when it was understood that he left his kids to secure a job, helping his family in the long run. Former NFL star Antonio Brown was so moved, that he established a GoFundMe for Louis.
“A dad just trying to find a way to make money for his family,” Brown wrote of Louis. “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. I have spoken with GoFundMe and they will get the funds to Chris and his family. I haven’t spoken to Chris yet, but I hope to do so soon.”
As of Thursday (April 3) morning, the over $80K in donations have been raised.
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