According to a press release from Elkhart County’s Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, the Elkhart County Homicide Unit has arrested Franklin Elmore, Jr., age 29, and Cheyenne Elmore, age 27, both of Elkhart, for the August 3 murder of Franklin Elmore’s six-year-old child who had been residing with them in Elkhart.
Although the initial report was that the child had allegedly “hit himself” and was unresponsive, emergency treatment providers at Elkhart General Hospital observed that some of the injuries apparently sustained by the victim were not believed to be self-inflicted, including a traumatic brain injury and a punctured lung.
Investigators observed numerous bruises and abrasions on the body of the child after his death. The events that occurred immediately before his death reflect that both Franklin and Cheyenne Elmore were home with the child at approximately 8:45pm, when it is suspected that Franklin attacked the child in his playroom. Shortly thereafter, the child became unresponsive and later died after emergency transport to the hospital.
A judicial officer has found probable cause for the arrest of both Franklin and Cheyenne Elmore for Murder, a felony, and each are being held without bond until an Initial Hearing to be held in the Elkhart Circuit Court on Thursday, August 14th at 8:30 am.
A formal charge of Murder is expected to be filed on Monday by the Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney, against both Franklin Elmore, Jr., and Cheynne Elmore, as co-defendants.
Please remember that suspects are assumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
