Indiana – An Indiana coupIe, 29-year-old FrankIin and 27-year-old Cheyene, were taken into custody last week in connection with the death of the man’s child, 6. The child had been brought to a local hospital earlier this month, initially reported to have hit himseIf before becoming unresponsive. However, medical staff observed injuries that were inconsistent with self-infliction, including a traumatic brain injury and a punctured lung. These findings prompted further investigation by the local authorities. The victim’s biological mother, who lives in Alabama, had raised concerns about the welfare of her son and called Indiana’s Department of Child Services.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim’s father claimed that his child had been exhibiting behavioral issues since his mother became pregnant two years prior, including self-hitting. The child’s stepmother, corroborated this by stating that the child would engage in seIf-harm behaviors such as scratching, biting, and punching himself.

Both parents admitted to disciplining the child by forcing him to engage in lengthy physicaI exercises and using corporal punishment, including beating him with a belt or their hands. Neighbors reported observing the child performing these exercises in the family’s yard.

Investigators also discovered surveillance footage from inside the home that showed the victim’s allegedly sIamming the child to the ground in the playroom. Moments later, the child appeared to stumble and subsequently entered a seizure-like state. The footage also depicted the parent pacing in the yard and tidying up the child’s room before the woman called 911.The woman reportedly stated that she did not witness the incident but would have been in the living room, within earshot of the bedroom. The prosecutor stated that further investigation revealed the woman had compIained about the boy’s behavior to her husband.

The County Prosecutor’s Office announced that both defendants are facing formal murder charges. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. The victim’s biological mother, who lives in Alabama, had raised concerns about the welfare of her son and called Indiana’s Department of Child Services. Indiana authorities there reportedly told her they could do nothing because they didn’t find any bruises.