(GOSHEN) - An Elkhart County man has been sentenced in the death of his son.
Elkhart County Superior Court officials say that 29 year old Franklin Elmore Jr. was sentenced Tuesday to 65 years in prison. He plead guilty in October to murdering his six year old son Justin.
Elmore and his wife, Justin's step-mother, 27 year old Cheyenne Elmore, 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.
Cheyene Elmore has plead guilty to aiding in her step-son's murder.