It takes a village. That’s what they say, right? But what happens when the village disappears—when the people who are supposed to help turn their backs, and the system that claims to support you throws you in jail instead?
Chris Louis learned that lesson the hard way on March 22, when he was arrested for leaving his three children at a McDonald’s play area while he went to job interviews. He checked on them multiple times, but a McDonald’s employee called the police. Instead of seeing a father trying to secure a better future for his family, they saw a crime. And just like that, another Black parent was punished for being poor.
Louis’ story is one of many. In 2014, Shanesha Taylor, a homeless mother in Arizona, left her two kids in a car while attending a job interview—her only shot at stability. She was arrested and charged with felony child abuse. Public outcry led to over $100,000 in donations, but why did she have to be arrested before people cared? The same happened to Laura Browder in Texas, who was detained for leaving her children in a mall food court while she interviewed. Or Debra Harrell in South Carolina, arrested for letting her 9-year-old play in a park while she worked at McDonald’s.
And then there’s Tateona Williams—a name that should make this country take a long, hard look at itself. She begged for help from the city. She begged for help from her children’s father. No one showed up. And when her babies froze to death, only then did the system decide to offer her housing. But instead of finding relief, she was thrown in jail. The message was clear: struggling parents aren’t seen as people in need of help—they’re seen as criminals.
The truth is, this country doesn’t care about Black parents until it’s time to punish them. Childcare is a privilege, not a right. The so-called “village” is gone, and too many families are left fending for themselves. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
When you move to a new city as a parent, finding a village isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether it’s through a church, a community center, or a group of trusted friends, parents need people who can step in when they can’t. Because the alternative is watching more parents get arrested for doing their best, while the real issue—America’s complete lack of a support system—goes unchecked.
The village isn’t a relic of the past. It’s a survival tool. And it’s time to rebuild it. Louis has since had a GoFundMe set up by ex-NFL star Antonio Brown where he has raised $57,000.
