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.
As the investigation progressed, the narrative of “self-inflicted harm” unraveled. Prosecutors revealed that Cheyenne had repeatedly complained to Franklin about the child’s behavior. On the night of August 3, the couple was at home when, by Franklin’s own admission, he “attacked” his son in the playroom. The child became unresponsive shortly afterward. Despite calling emergency services, the couple attempted to shift responsibility by implying the child was responsible for his own injuries.
Evidence retrieved from the couple’s phones showed a pattern of abuse. Investigators uncovered numerous photos of the child with visible bruises and injuries in various stages of healing. According to police, both Franklin and Cheyenne admitted they routinely punished the child through extreme disciplinary methods, including “whooping” him with belts or hands and forcing him to do rigorous physical exercises for extended periods. These claims were echoed by neighbors who recalled seeing the boy doing exercises in the yard as punishment.
The child’s biological mother, M. McBride, who lives in Alabama, had previously tried to alert Indiana’s Department of Child Services. She told authorities that her son had complained about going to bed hungry when he was “bad” and expressed fear about his home life. Despite those concerns, she was told by officials that no action would be taken because they could not see visible injuries. In a statement, the department confirmed they had reviewed the case but declined to release specifics, citing the ongoing prosecution.
While Franklin has pleaded guilty, Cheyenne has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. Her case is currently scheduled to go before a jury in February 2026, with her next court appearance set for December 18. Prosecutors allege that Cheyenne was aware of and complicit in the abuse, and may have encouraged it through repeated complaints about the child’s behavior.
The tragic death of the boy has reignited debate about child welfare oversight and whether warning signs were missed. With Franklin now facing sentencing and Cheyenne awaiting trial, the case continues to draw scrutiny as the public demands accountability for a life ended far too soon—inside a home where love should have lived, but brutality reigned.
