LITTLE ROCK, AR – A 23-year-old Arkansas woman who operated a home daycare faces capital murder charges after allegedly confessing to police that she slammed an 8-month-old boy’s head against a hardwood floor three times, killing him because she had a headache.
Erin Sauls was arrested following the death of Elijah Flowerday, who was in her care at her Little Rock residence on Tuesday.
According to authorities, Sauls struck the infant’s head against the floor while changing his diaper. She told investigators she committed the act because she had a headache and felt frustrated with the child.
The violent attack caused catastrophic injuries. Medical examination revealed Elijah suffered multiple brain bleeds and a skull fracture from the repeated impacts.
After inflicting the injuries, Sauls noticed the baby became hot and sweaty. She gave him a bottle hoping his condition would improve, but discovered him unresponsive approximately 15 minutes later. He was pronounced dead shortly after.
A medical professional informed police that Elijah had sustained the fatal injuries after arriving at Sauls’s home that day. The child’s mother confirmed to investigators that her son was healthy and showed no signs of injury when she dropped him off for daycare.
Sauls confessed to causing the injuries during police questioning, according to local news outlet KATV.
On Wednesday, a judge ordered Sauls held without bond pending trial. Her next court appearance is scheduled for January 13.
Capital murder in Arkansas carries a potential sentence of life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
