A 24-year-old father in Georgia was arrested for allegedly leaving his three children — ages 10, 6, and 1 — unattended at a McDonald’s fast food restaurant for just under two hours while he walked to a job interview.

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

However, Louis’ arrest has sparked controversy, with some believing there was no excuse to possibly place his children in harms way, while others — including at least one former NFL star — have sided with the father of three for seemingly doing the best he could to provide for his family under difficult circumstances.

According to a report from The Augusta Press, authorities on March 22 responded to the McDonald’s in the 2900 block of Washington Road in Augusta. The restaurant has an indoor playground for children on the grounds.

A witness called authorities after seeing Louis leave his children alone and walk away from the establishment at about 4:30 p.m., per the report. He allegedly left the kids, returned, and then left again.

Upon arriving at the scene, first responders reportedly located the children, who were unharmed. They waited until about 6:18 p.m., when Louis arrived back at the McDonald’s.

When questioned by police, Louis reportedly explained that he and his children had walked from his nearby apartment to the restaurant before his job interview. Not having a car and not wanting to make his children walk back home so he could attend the interview, Louis allegedly left them unattended in the playground area and walked to the interview.