Father, stepmom who would allegedly 'whoop' 6-year-old accused of causing fatal injuries to the child

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. (TCN) -- A 29-year-old father and 27-year-old stepmother stand accused of causing fatal injuries to a young boy.

According to the Elkhart County Prosecutor's Office, the 6-year-old victim died on Aug. 3. It was initially reported that he had "hit himself" and become unresponsive. However, medical staff determined the boy suffered a traumatic brain injury and punctured lung, which were unlikely to be self-inflicted.

The boy resided with his father, Franklin Elmore Jr., and Cheyenne Elmore, who WNDU-TV reports was the child's stepmom. Upon further investigation, authorities reportedly learned that Cheyenne Elmore had previously brought up the child's behavior, and they would punish the boy by allegedly "forcing him to engage in lengthy physical exercise," and they would "'whoop' him with a belt or a hand." The father reportedly told police he also sometimes put a bar of soap in the child's mouth.

Investigators purportedly noticed multiple bruises and abrasions on the victim's body following his death. Prosecutors allege the boy's father and stepmother were home with him at around 8:45 p.m. when Franklin Elmore Jr. "attacked the child in his 'playroom.'" The child became unresponsive shortly after the alleged attack and was transported to a hospital, where he later died.

Franklin Elmore Jr. and Cheyenne Elmore were arrested and face a charge of murder.

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