An Indiana man will spend decades in prison after he pleaded guilty to killing his 6-year-old son.
Franklin Elmore Jr., 29, got 55 years for the murder of Justin Elmore and another 10 years for related crimes, to be served consecutively, WNDU reports.
“I’m satisfied with it. It’s better than what I thought he would get,” said Miranda McBride, Justin’s mother, outside the Elkhart County Courthouse. “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 anyways.”
Elmore initially tried to claim Justin had inflicted the fatal injuries on himself on August 3, but investigators didn’t buy it after finding a brain bleed and a punctured lung along with bruises and other abrasions all over his body. He and his now-wife, 27-year-old Cheyenne Elmore, were both charged in Justin’s murder, as CrimeOnline reported.
Investigators discovered surveillance video from the boy’s “playroom” that showed Elmore attacking him before his death. Court documents also said that Elmore paced around in the backyard with his hands on his head while Cheyenne Elmore, who was in the room at the time of the attack but did nothing, called 911.
At a plea hearing earlier this month, Elmore admitted that he “knowingly” killed his son but said he “did not mean it.”
At sentencing, Elmore apologized and asked for shorter term, according to WNDU.
“I want to come out as a better man. Different man. That’s all I can do,” Elmore said.
The judge rejected Elmore’s plea, telling him, “You literally beat your son to death.”
After her husband pleaded guilty earlier this month, Cheyenne Elmore changed her plea to guilty and is due to be sentenced on January 13, 2026.
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[Featured image: Franklin and Cheyenne Elmore/Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office. Center: Justin Elmore/family handout]
