A father from Indiana has been sentenced to spend at least 65 years in prison after he admitted to brutally beating his six-year-old son to death in the family home.
A Fatal Assault in the Playroom
Franklin Elmore Jr., 29, pleaded guilty to attacking his son, Justin, in their residence in Goshen, Indiana, on August 3. Following the assault, Elmore and his wife, 27-year-old Cheyenne Elmore—the boy's stepmother—phoned emergency services, reporting they had discovered the child 'unresponsive' in his playroom before rushing him to hospital.
Medical examinations revealed the young boy had suffered a traumatic brain bleed and a punctured lung. Initially, Franklin Elmore told police officers that his son had behavioural problems and would frequently hit himself in the head. However, medical staff quickly informed investigators that the injuries were far too severe to be self-inflicted. Justin succumbed to his injuries after several days in hospital.
A History of Abuse and Missed Opportunities
Both parents were swiftly arrested and charged with Justin's murder. Neighbours came forward with accounts of witnessing the Elmores viciously bullying and abusing their son. This abuse reportedly included forcing the child to lift weights, skip rope, and run. On the morning of his fatal beating, Justin had been forced to run for over 90 minutes.
Justin's biological mother, Miranda McBride, revealed she had tried to alert Indiana authorities to the abuse her son was suffering on numerous occasions. She was repeatedly told there was no evidence to act upon, with police allegedly stating they could 'do nothing because they didn't find any bruises'.
Tragically, a search of the Elmore's phones after their arrest uncovered photographs of Justin's injuries. Further details of the abuse emerged, including the boy being 'whooped' with a belt and forced to keep a bar of soap in his mouth.
Justice Served and a Mother's Anguish
At his sentencing, prosecutors condemned Elmore's prolonged abuse of his son, telling the judge, 'The question is not how he (Justin) died, but it’s about how he survived through the abuses for several months.' Elmore pleaded for leniency, stating he wanted to become a 'better man'. The judge was unmoved, telling him directly, 'You literally beat your son to death.'
Following the sentencing of 65 years, Miranda McBride fought back tears, saying she was 'satisfied' to see Elmore face justice. She added, 'I wish he’d have more, death row would be great. But most likely by the time he gets out, he’ll probably be dead anyway.'
Cheyenne Elmore, who initially pleaded not guilty to murder, changed her plea to guilty on November 6. She is scheduled to be sentenced on January 13, 2026.
