Indiana – In a horrific case in Indiana that drew nationwide attention, a 29-year-old father, identified as Franklin E., entered a guilty plea in connection with his son’s death. Franklin and his 27-year-old wife, identified as Cheyenne E., have been charged with murder after their 6-year-old son was found with fatal injuries inflicted during repeated abuse masked as “discipline.” Franklin and Cheyenne were arrested in early August and have remained behind bars since, each facing murder charges in connection to the child’s death.
Franklin has now pleaded guilty to killing his son. On October 9, Franklin acknowledged he physically beat the boy, stating he “did not mean it” when asked if he accepted responsibility for the violent assault that ended his son’s life. His sentencing is scheduled for November 25. Despite his courtroom admission, Prosecutor V. Becker stated publicly that her office did not enter into any formal plea agreement with Franklin.
The couple was first arrested on August 8, days after calling 911 to report that the child had become unresponsive. Franklin initially told authorities that his son had struck himself and then collapsed. But medical professionals quickly ruled out that possibility. Emergency staff documented a traumatic brain injury and a punctured lung—injuries they stated were inconsistent with any form of self-harm…