(GOSHEN) – An Elkhart County man had entered a plea of guilty to murdering his son.

Elkhart County Superior Court officials say that 29 year old Franklin Elmore Jr. entered into the blanket plea agreement Thursday instead of going to trial in the death of his six year old son Justin.

Elmore and his wife, 27 year old Cheyenne Elmore, Justin’s step-mother, were formally charged with murder in August.

A police investigation says that the Elmore’s were both home with Justin at 8:45 PM on August 3 when Franklin allegedly attacked his son in his playroom. Justin reportedly became unresponsive, and was taken to an area hospital where he later died. The Elmore’s told police that Justin had hit himself but hospital employees say that some of the boy’s injuries were not self-inflicted, including a punctured lung and a traumatic brain injury.

Further investigation by police uncovered that the Elmore’s would hit Justin with their hands and a belt, and would also force him to go through lengthy physical exercises.

Franklin Elmore is scheduled to be sentenced on November 25.

Cheyenne Elmore has requested her trial to be delayed in order to review her mental health records, which was granted by the judge. She is scheduled to be back in court December 18, and again on January 8, 2026. Her jury trial is scheduled to start February 2, 2026.