PULASKI COUNTY, Arkansas — A plea and arraignment hearing on a murder charge for 23-year-old Erin Sauls concluded Monday and a bond hearing is scheduled for June 5.
Sowers was arrested in January after a law enforcement investigation into the death of an eight-month-old baby at a day care center ruled the death a homicide.
The baby’s name was Elijah Flowerday, and Sowers said she was depressed and had headaches, causing her to bang the baby’s head against the hardwood floor multiple times, according to the arrest report.
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Elijah’s aunt, Brianna Russell, attended Monday’s hearing along with other members of her family.
“She pleads not guilty,” Russell said. “Now, we have decided that the death penalty is even an option.”
Russell described the moment she found out her nephew had died.
“My sister and my mother called me. They were screaming on the phone. You could barely hear what they were saying. My sister in the background kept repeating, ‘She killed her baby,'” Russell said.
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However, Russell explained that all she wanted from the case was justice.
“You just want some accountability, someone to take responsibility and punishment. I think she deserves a fair and just punishment,” Russell said.
Elijah’s family is trying to raise awareness and honor him through petitions, GoFundMe and picnics.
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