Elkhart, IN – Franklin Elmore Jr., 29, and Cheyenne Elmore, 27, are facing murder charges following the tragic death of their 6-year-old son, who suffered severe injuries that authorities believe could not have been self-inflicted. The couple’s arrest came after their son was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries, including a traumatic brain injury and a punctured lung.
Father’s Claim of Self-Inflicted Injuries Disputed by Medical Staff
Franklin Elmore told hospital staff that his son had “hit himself” before becoming unresponsive. However, hospital personnel quickly noticed the severity of the injuries, which they determined were far too extreme for the boy to have inflicted upon himself. According to the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office, Franklin Elmore’s statement was contradicted by doctors who confirmed the boy’s injuries were not consistent with self-infliction.
“The injuries were too severe for him to have caused them,” the prosecutor’s office said, adding that the traumatic brain injury and punctured lung ultimately led to the child’s death at the hospital.
Stepmother’s Complaints Lead to Investigation
The investigation further revealed that Cheyenne Elmore, the boy’s stepmother, had complained about his behavior to her husband before the incident. Authorities uncovered that on the night of August 3, Franklin and Cheyenne Elmore were in the family’s playroom with the child when Franklin allegedly attacked him. Court documents suggest the couple called 911 after the boy became unresponsive, telling medical staff that their son’s violent behavior involved him hitting himself on the head, a claim that was quickly disputed by medical professionals.
Evidence of Abuse Found on Phones
A deeper investigation revealed disturbing evidence, as police reportedly found photos of the boy on the Elmores’ phones showing visible bruises and other signs of physical abuse. Both Franklin and Cheyenne admitted to disciplining the child by forcing him to perform physical exercises and, on occasion, striking him with a belt or their hands.
Reports from Neighbors and Concerns from Biological Mother
Neighbors of the family provided key information, telling investigators they had seen the boy being forced to exercise outside, likely as part of the alleged disciplinary practices. Furthermore, the boy’s biological mother, who resides in Alabama, had raised serious concerns about her son’s welfare. She made multiple calls to Indiana’s Department of Child Services (DCS), including reports of her son saying he was “going to bed hungry” when he got in trouble. However, DCS closed the case, stating there were no visible bruises to investigate at that time.
In a statement to WNDU, DCS clarified that “they could do nothing because they didn’t find any bruises” but later acknowledged that the case is under investigation by police and criminal prosecution.
Murder Charges Filed, Both Parents in Custody
Following the severe abuse that led to the child’s death, both Franklin and Cheyenne Elmore have been charged with murder and are being held without bail. The couple is scheduled to appear in court on August 14, facing serious charges related to the death of their son.
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