Kindergarten worker fractures child’s skull because he ‘had a headache’

An Arkansas woman has been charged with murder in connection with the death of an 8-month-old baby she was caring for.

Erin Saulswho ran a daycare center out of her home, was arrested on Tuesday, December 30, after police responded to a call that an infant – later identified as Elijah Flowerday – was not breathing. The child was transported to Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The little boy has since been diagnosed with a “fractured skull and multiple bleeds on the brain,” according to an arrest report obtained by KATV. During the investigation, Sauls, 23, told police that he was “frustrated and had a headache” while changing the child’s diaper when he hit him on the head “three times with a wooden pole,” which allegedly resulted in the child’s injuries.

Sauls is currently being held without bail at the Pulaski County Detention Facility in Little Rock, Arkansas. His next court date is scheduled for February 27.

Aliyah Fultonwho previously enrolled her own two children in Sauls’ daycare last year, told NBC affiliate KARK that while she thinks Sauls is a “really nice guy,” she’s had a bad feeling about the 23-year-old since early morning.

“Something was telling me to get in the car to pick up my boys, like not to go back to him,” he explained at the time.

Fulton also reportedly heard from other parents that Sauls had taken more than five children from her home at a time, which is illegal for an unlicensed daycare owner in Arkansas.

According to the child care registration requirements found on Arkansas.gov, although a person caring for five or fewer children is not required by law to be licensed, “if at any time care is provided to six or more children from more than one family, the law requires the provider to be licensed.”

“The guardian’s own children will be considered when the need for a license or registration is found,” it continued. “The guardian’s school-aged children are not considered when determining the need for a license or registration.”

It’s not clear if there are any children watching hers, however, Sauls’ neighbors told KATV they didn’t think she had more than five children to care for at once.

Fulton began using his services in July 2025 and decided to end their business relationship in October after Sauls canceled on him several times. If convicted, he said he believes the former daycare worker should spend the rest of his life in prison.

“In a way, I really wanted someone to watch my children, and now I’m more careful now that this has happened,” he added. “He doesn’t deserve to see the light of day again.”

Earlier this month, a GoFundMe was set up to help Flowerday’s family pay for funeral expenses and counseling services for their other child as they process this “unimaginable loss.” As of Saturday, January 3, the fundraiser has received more than $12,000 in donations.

If you or someone you know is being abused by children, call or text the Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.