GOSHEN, INDIANA – A father who admitted to beating his 6-year-old boy to death inside the family's playroom will spend the next several decades behind bars. Franklin Elmore Jr. faced a judge on Tuesday and was sentenced to a total of 65 years in prison for the murder of his son Justin.
The 29-year-old asked the court for leniency during the hearing. He told the judge he wanted to come out of prison as a "better man" and a "different man." The judge was not moved by the request and bluntly reminded the father that he "literally beat his son to death."
"He Hit Himself"
The investigation began on the night of August 3 when Elmore and his wife called 911. They reported that 6-year-old Justin was unresponsive. Elmore initially tried to claim that the boy had "hit himself" and caused his own injuries because of behavioral issues.
When the child arrived at the hospital, doctors immediately suspected abuse. Justin was suffering from a traumatic brain bleed and a punctured lung. Medical staff told police the severe injuries were clearly not self-inflicted. Justin died from his wounds at the hospital, and police arrested both Elmore and the boy's stepmother, Cheyenne Elmore, on August 8.
Pattern of Abuse
Detectives uncovered a disturbing history of punishment leading up to the murder. Neighbors told police they witnessed the parents forcing the 6-year-old to endure intense exercise routines. These punishments included jumping rope, holding weights, and running for long distances.
Prosecutors revealed a heartbreaking timeline of the boy's final day. Before Elmore beat him to death in the playroom, he and the stepmother forced Justin to run for 3.5 miles. The punishment run lasted around 90 minutes.
Justice for Justin
Justin’s birth mother, Miranda McBride, had tried to alert Indiana authorities about the abuse while she was living in another state. She said officials told her they could not intervene at the time because they found no bruises. However, a forensic search of the suspects' phones later revealed multiple photos of Justin with visible injuries.
McBride spoke to reporters after the sentencing and said she was satisfied with the outcome. She admitted she would have preferred the death penalty but noted that Elmore will likely die in prison regardless.
Elmore received 55 years for the murder plus an additional 10 years for aggravated crimes. His wife Cheyenne Elmore also pleaded guilty to murder earlier this month. She is scheduled to be sentenced on January 13, 2026.
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