An Indiana man, Eliasard Moneus, 29, has been sentenced to 92 years in prison for the horrific death of his 3-month-old son, Jacob Moneus. The child was drowned after being placed face down in a “bucket of laundry detergent,” and the lid was sealed, leaving the infant to die.
Moneus was convicted of one count of murder and one count of attempted murder, the latter stemming from an attack on his wife following the murder of their son.
A Heartbreaking Crime
On Tuesday, Tippecanoe Superior Court Judge Steve Meyer handed down a sentence of 62 years for the murder and 30 years for the attempted murder, with both sentences to run consecutively. During the sentencing, prosecutors detailed the chilling circumstances surrounding Jacob’s death.
Deputy Prosecutor Elyse Madigan described the crime as one of the most grotesque she had ever encountered, saying, “A father put his 3-month-old son face down in a bucket of laundry detergent, sealed the lid, left his son to die, and then went to the next room and viciously attacked the baby’s mother.”
Jacob drowned in the detergent, ingesting approximately 100 milliliters of the substance while he suffocated. The attack was motivated by Moneus’ desire to “teach his wife a lesson,” according to the prosecutor.
Moneus reportedly told investigators that he believed he needed to “teach Edlie and women a lesson,” and that he did not care about the consequences of his actions.
The Assault on His Wife
After killing his son, Moneus attacked his wife, Edlie, with a tire iron or wrench, fracturing her skull. The assault occurred in the same home, and Moneus fled with their baby after the attack.
Police responded to a domestic violence call from the hospital, where Edlie was being treated for her injuries. She told officers that Moneus had beaten her and then took their son.
Police later searched the couple’s home and found blood spatter and evidence of the assault, but they were unable to locate Jacob. Moneus was arrested the following day after confessing to the assault, but he claimed he didn’t know where his son was.
Discovery of Jacob’s Body
On August 11, 2024, authorities conducted another search of the home and found Jacob’s body inside an orange bucket in the kitchen, next to the trash can.
The bucket was sealed with a snap-on lid, and once the lid was removed, investigators discovered the infant’s body submerged in a dark-colored liquid, later determined to be the detergent. An autopsy confirmed the cause of death as asphyxia due to immersion in the detergent.
Moneus’ Apology and Sentence
Moneus, who speaks only French Creole, apologized for his actions through an interpreter during the sentencing hearing. However, Judge Meyer was unsympathetic, describing the crime as “unimaginable.” The judge told Moneus, “You killed your own child. I can’t think of a worse crime.”
The Impact on the Family
The crime has left the community reeling, and Moneus’ wife, who survived the brutal attack, is left to grieve the loss of her son while recovering from her injuries. The case has drawn widespread condemnation, with many calling for justice for the innocent child whose life was taken in such a horrifying manner.
Moneus will spend the rest of his life in prison, with his first eligibility for parole occurring after he serves 92 years.
