Dad left 3 young kids at McDonald’s playground, claimed he was going to job interview, cops say

A 24-year-old begetter successful Georgia was arrested for allegedly leaving his 3 children — ages 10, 6, and 1 — unattended at a McDonald’s accelerated nutrient restaurant for conscionable nether 2 hours portion helium walked to a occupation interview.

Chris Louis was taken into custody past week and charged with deprivation of a minor.

However, Louis’ apprehension has sparked controversy, with immoderate believing determination was nary excuse to perchance spot his children successful harms way, portion others — including astatine slightest 1 erstwhile NFL prima — person sided with the begetter of 3 for seemingly doing the champion helium could to supply for his household nether hard circumstances.

According to a report from The Augusta Press, authorities connected March 22 responded to the McDonald’s successful the 2900 artifact of Washington Road successful Augusta. The edifice has an indoor playground for children connected the grounds.

A witnesser called authorities aft seeing Louis permission his children unsocial and locomotion distant from the constitution astatine astir 4:30 p.m., per the report. He allegedly near the kids, returned, and past near again.

Upon arriving astatine the scene, archetypal responders reportedly located the children, who were unharmed. They waited until astir 6:18 p.m., erstwhile Louis arrived backmost astatine the McDonald’s.

When questioned by police, Louis reportedly explained that helium and his children had walked from his adjacent flat to the edifice earlier his occupation interview. Not having a car and not wanting to marque his children locomotion backmost location truthful helium could be the interview, Louis allegedly near them unattended successful the playground country and walked to the interview.

The children’s parent was called to prime up the kids and Louis was taken into custody and booked astatine the Richmond County Jail. He has since been released, online records show.

The communicative of Louis’ apprehension dispersed quickly, yet making its mode to erstwhile Pittsburgh Steelers superstar wide receiver Antonio Brown, who decided to commencement a GoFundMe leafage for Louis.

“Story caught maine by surprise. A dada conscionable trying to find a mode to marque wealth for his family,” Brown wrote connected the fundraising page. “I cognize helium shouldn’t conscionable permission his kids, but immoderate radical don’t person the means for babysitting, etc. This GoFundMe is acceptable successful spot to assistance this man. I person spoken with GoFundMe and they volition get the funds to Chris and his family. I haven’t spoken to Chris yet, but I anticipation to bash truthful soon.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, the page, which is titled “Pursuit of Happiness,” had raised much than $46,000 with donations from much than 1,400 people, including a $1,000 donation from Brown.