August 8, 2025
FORMAL CHARGES EXPECTED TO BE FILED MONDAY FOR CHILD MURDER
The Elkhart County Homicide Unit has arrested one Franklin Elmore, Jr. (29), and one Cheyenne Elmore (27), both of Elkhart, for the August 3, 2025, murder of Franklin Elmore’s six-year-old child residing with them at their residence on County Road 22, Elkhart, Indiana. 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. Further investigation demonstrated that Cheyenne Elmore had previously complained to Franklin Elmore, Jr., about the behavior of the six-year-old child to Franklin Elmore, Jr., and that Franklin Elmore, Jr., and Cheyenne Elmore would discipline the child by forcing him to engage in lengthy physical exercise and “whoop” him with a belt or a hand. 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 8:45 pm when Franklin Elmore, Jr., 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 14, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.
A formal charge of Murder is expected to be filed on Monday by Vicki Becker, the Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney, against both Franklin Elmore, Jr., and Cheyenne Elmore, as co-defendants.
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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent
until proven guilty in a court of law.”