A tragic case out of Indiana has reached a grim milestone as Franklin Elmore Jr., 29, confessed to the murder of his 6-year-old son, Justin. Despite initially claiming that the child “hit himself” in the head, Elmore has now admitted responsibility for the fatal injuries.

The heartbreaking incident unfolded in August when both Franklin Elmore and his wife, Cheyenne Elmore, were taken into custody following the young boy’s death. Justin succumbed to injuries inflicted by his father during a violent episode in the boy’s playroom. Prosecutors charged both Elmore and his stepmother, Cheyenne, with murder. Last month, Franklin Elmore entered a guilty plea, taking a significant step in the legal proceedings.

On October 9, WNDU, an NBC affiliate, reported from the courtroom as Franklin Elmore acknowledged his role in his son’s death. During the hearing, Elmore admitted to the fatal beating, though he insisted, “I did not mean it,” when pressed about physically assaulting Justin, leading to the boy’s demise.

The chilling details emerged after the Elmores contacted emergency services on August 3, declaring that Justin had become “unresponsive” following an attack by Franklin. In their account to authorities, the couple suggested that the boy had behavioral challenges and would “hit himself” in the head. However, medical professionals quickly contradicted this narrative. Upon Justin’s arrival at the hospital, doctors identified a traumatic brain injury and a punctured lung—injuries deemed impossible to have been self-inflicted, according to the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office.

The investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of excessive punishment meted out by both Franklin and Cheyenne Elmore. Authorities uncovered evidence of harsh disciplinary actions, including “whooping” the child with belts or their hands and subjecting him to prolonged physical exercise. Prosecutors noted that Cheyenne had expressed frustrations to Franklin about Justin’s behavior, which may have contributed to the brutal treatment he suffered.

A search of the Elmores’ phones allegedly yielded several photos of Justin with bruises and other visible injuries.

Justin’s birth mother, Miranda McBride, had tried to report the alleged abuse of her son to Indiana authorities, but they reportedly told her that “they could do nothing because they didn’t find any bruises.”

Cheyenne Elmore pleaded not guilty to her murder charge. She is scheduled to go on trial in February 2026 and is due in court on Dec. 18.

WNDU reported that while Franklin Elmore and his attorney say they reached a blanket plea agreement with prosecutors, Elkhart County Prosecutor Vicki Becker told the station that she had not made any plea agreements with Franklin Elmore. Online records reportedly show that his trial was canceled and he is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 25.