A Georgia father ended up in police custody after his alleged controversial alternative to having no babysitter. Chris Louis reportedly dropped off his three minor children at a McDonald’s in Augusta to attend a job interview. Eventually, someone peeped that the kids were alone, and police were called to the fast-food spot, where they later arrested the 24-year-old dad. After the story went viral, Antonio Brown asked social media to put him in touch with Chris.
On April 2, AB revealed an update from Louis’ girlfriend and shared how much money he crowdfunded for the Georgia father. However, it seems that Brown will likely refund the donations after Augusta police revealed new details about the incident. Captain Danny Whitehead reportedly found that the evidence shows Chris did not have a job interview during the time that he left his children unattended at McDonald’s.
Editor’s Note: This story was published on April 1 and updated on April 2 to reflect new details about the father’s arrest and Antonio Brown’s fundraising efforts.
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Augusta Police Shut Down Georgia Father’s Job Interview Story
According to The Augusta Press, Louis’ children are ages one, six, and 10. On March 22, the Georgia father dropped off his minors at a McDonald’s located at 2902 Washington Road, a little over two hours from downtown Atlanta. This particular store in the chain has a playground on the inside. After some time, Augusta Press reports that two witnesses noticed the children’s solo state at about 4:30 p.m. They said the father told someone on the phone that he needed to “drop something off” before leaving the restaurant. The 1, 6, and 10-year-olds were alone for about an hour and a half, per witness estimate.
Cops found holes in Chris Louis’ job interview and timeline explanations. The 10-year-old child reportedly confirmed to police that she, her dad, and siblings walked to McDonald’s from The Hendrix Apartments, which is 0.4 miles from the restaurant. She revealed that her dad left to drop off a backpack, and her mother later confirmed this story, too. However, the 10-year-old also said that Chris leaves them alone often.
Chris Louis arrived at the restaurant for the last time at 6:18 p.m. and still had the backpack in question, per police. He allegedly told police he lost an ID and his card while walking back and forth to deliver to the bank and spent some time retracing his steps. Louis also said they were at the McDonald’s because he was expecting a job call back from West Bank Inn, next door to McDonald’s.
The manager at West Bank Inn confirmed to investigators that Chris filled out a job application on March 22 and had a brief informal interview that same day. He was at the location from 1:12 p.m. and 1:37 p.m. The manager also denied that he would’ve been expecting a callback for a formal interview. With the statements and video evidence, police feel confident that the Georgia father was NOT at a job interview while the kids were alone at the fast food spot.
“Furthermore, by his own admission, [Chris Louis] was walking between McDonald’s and The Hendrix Apartments on foot during that period,” Chief of Staff Lewis C. Blanchard told sports reporter Clay Travis.
Augusta police say the dad who left his three kids at McDonald’s wasn’t on a job interview, left his kids alone for an hour and a half. Mom got called to restaurant too, wasn’t happy. Full report sent to me. pic.twitter.com/JIAKORI3L4
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) April 2, 2025
Police Defend Charge Against Chris Louis & Reveals Conversation With Kids’ Mom
It’s still unclear if Chris had any communication with the children while gone. As previously reported, he is being charged with deprivation of a minor. Before police took the 24-year-old into custody, his children’s mother, Lissette Pichardo, pulled up to the McDonald’s and picked up their kids. She also reportedly confirmed Chris’ backpack story, saying it was for her mother. However, Lissette claimed she told him to take the kids with him. She reiterated that to Chris before the cops took him away.
It’s unclear whether the Georgia father is still in custody or when his next court date is. Meanwhile, Lewis C. Blanchard said the facts of the case justify the misdemeanor charge against Louis. Blanchard said it “was appropriate to ensure the welfare of the children and facilitate a review of the matter by the court.” The Chief of Staff also said the charge will allow everyone involved to tell their side of the story in court. See the Georgia father’s mugshot below.
A 24-year-old Augusta man was arrested for leaving his children—ages 1, 6, and 10—alone at a McDonald's while he attended a nearby job interview. pic.twitter.com/aKoq4plLYU
— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) March 31, 2025
Antonio Brown Raises THIS MUCH Money For Georgia Father
Rather than weigh in with his personal take, Antonio Brown asked to be put in contact with Chris Louis. “Anybody know how to get a hold of Chris? Would love to help him,” AB wrote on X.
On April 2, he said he spoke to Chris Louis’ girlfriend, presumably Lissette, who allegedly told him their family has been homeless since November. He also shared an update on a GoFundMe he organized, which surpassed a $50,000 goal. At the time of publishing, it had raised over $65,000.
Antonio Brown later responded to reporter Clay Travis’ details from Lewis C. Blanchard. He reiterated the story the girlfriend allegedly told him and then confirmed he wouldn’t be handing over the GoFundMe money if he isn’t able to verify the story.
“No funds will be sent to family till story is verified.. if can’t verify story.. I will have @gofundme refund the money to everyone who has given. Blessings”
Totally get that. No harm in trying to do good. Just sharing the police report.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) April 2, 2025
AB’s generous work might be shocking to some who recently saw his harsh response to his son’s mother requesting his help. As previously reported, in March, Antonio shared a screenshot of Cydney Moreau messaging him for rent money while giving him an update on their son. He turned her down by writing, “F**k u b***h go suck d**k.” She replied, saying AB has an obligation to help. It’s unclear if he ever responded again or provided the financial help.
Arrest Of Georgia Father Sparks Divided Debate On Social Media
As mentioned, the Georgia father’s arrest went viral on social media as folks debated whether his decision. Thousands of reactions filled up the timeline and trending tab on X (formerly Twitter) on March 31 and April 1.
Helicopter parenting culture has to end, this is insane. A 10 year old looking after their siblings in a safe space for a short period of time while their parent does something next door was normal like 30 years ago. https://t.co/FbN7MZW3Lw
— Hannah Cox (@HannahDCox) April 1, 2025
A 10 year old is absolutely capable of watching their 6 and 1 year old siblings for an hour in a safe public space. This man did nothing wrong. Safetyism is destroying society. https://t.co/M40PoBkaRP
— LIZZY💥 (@LizzyStarrrdust) April 1, 2025
the entire situation is fucked up and unfair and the father should not be in jail for this but we should all be able to agree that a mcdonald’s is not a “safe space” for unattended children https://t.co/waBFqdRtZS
— 𝑬𝒛𝒓𝒂 / 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓 🦇🕯️ (@spellcrux) April 1, 2025
I see a lot of people defending this guy….wtf. It’s not okay to just leave children and a baby at a fast food joint. Even in the 90’s this would have been insane. https://t.co/WEB9iJgRj9
— Taylor Silverman (@tmsilverman) April 1, 2025
I don’t care what anyone says. This dude was trying. He should have never been arrested if he was really at a job interview. You help this man you don’t make it harder on his family. And maybe McDonald’s wasn’t the best idea but don’t act like 10-year-olds haven’t been… https://t.co/FDUa9cHlIJ
— Lisa Elizabeth (@Lisaelizabeth) April 1, 2025
I’m sorry, he left them in a public space briefly in AC and with bathrooms to go attend a job interview to provide for them? Nah drop those charges. https://t.co/yxyEh2xNRS
— Sunny (@sunnyright) April 1, 2025
Augusta is my hometown.
Instead of arresting a man for trying to better his life for both himself and his family, maybe the Soros-funded DA in Richmond County should go after the gangbangers he allows to run amok instead. https://t.co/IYVya5u6gP
— CJ Pearson (@thecjpearson) April 1, 2025
Every time I've seen this on my TL I can't help but think about my 10 year old self watching 3 of my little cousins at the local park 3 blocks away. My mom would've been in trouble. 😳 Nobody gave it a second thought. https://t.co/dLtM8mfkdm
— 🪷🐝Blue Blooded Dem-🐝🪷 (@blewis823) April 1, 2025
think we’re missing the bigger societal failing here. we shouldnt be advocating for more 10 year old babysitters lmfao, we should be advocating for increased access to free or affordable childcare https://t.co/65lzUdtxtj
— cugine queen (@sonicmpreg) April 1, 2025
I don't think this man should've been arrested as he's clearly trying to get a job to provide for his family. That being said, you can acknowledge what he did was still irresponsible. A 10 year can not properly care for a 1 & 6 year old alone. A McDonald's is also not a daycare. https://t.co/Nc8kz7k2Bt
— Inkfy (@inkfycreates) April 1, 2025
Do yall have kids?? A 10 year old is not capable of taking care of a ONE YEAR OLD. What they gonna do in a medical emergency or an abduction? Also stop making your older kids watch their younger siblings a 10 year old is a child not a babysitter smfh. https://t.co/qQlWxCAVYS
— sea (@_realitySEA) April 1, 2025
So this dad is being severely punished for trying to provide for his family? A 10-year-old is capable of watching two younger children for a limited amount of time. https://t.co/LiqADvrIMq
— Kira Ivy (@KiraIvy8) April 1, 2025
