YouTuber Chris Sails was arrested after authorities accused him of falsely telling police that his children had fallen into a body of water, triggering a search-and-rescue operation before officers determined the kids were safe.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the Waller County Sheriff’s Office responded on August 16 to a report involving a suspicious person who was allegedly running and jumping onto residents’ cars.
When an officer arrived, the documents say Sails was sitting in the roadway next to a light pole and appeared to be praying. The officer allegedly observed him rolling around in the street moments later.
During questioning, authorities say Sails told them his children had fallen into a body of water directly behind his home.
Police treated the report as a genuine emergency and launched a search for the children.
The operation reportedly involved fire department vehicles, search-and-rescue boats, specialized sonar equipment and aerial drones as authorities worked to locate the children.
The search was eventually called off after officers discovered that the children were safe with family members.
Authorities subsequently accused Sails of knowingly providing false information to law enforcement.
He was arrested on August 17 on a misdemeanor charge of knowingly making a false statement to law enforcement. The charge is an allegation, and the court documents do not establish guilt.
Sails was released the following day after posting bond.
The incident turned what began as a reported emergency involving children into a criminal case centered on what authorities say was a false statement. The children were ultimately found safe with family members, according to the court documents.
The case now moves forward with Sails facing the misdemeanor allegation stemming from the August 16 incident.
