A heartbreaking and horrifying crime in Indiana has led to a 92-year prison sentence for Eliasard Moneus, 29, who was convicted of the brutal murder of his 3-month-old son, Jacob Moneus. The child’s death, which occurred in August 2024, shocked the community and sparked widespread outrage.
Moneus was also sentenced for attempting to murder his wife after killing their child. The gruesome details of the case paint a tragic picture of a father’s violence and cruelty.
The Horrific Murder
In a chilling turn of events, Moneus killed his infant son by drowning him in a bucket of laundry detergent. According to prosecutors, Moneus placed Jacob face down in the bucket, sealed it shut, and left the child to die.
The baby drowned after swallowing 100 ml of detergent. The heartless crime took place in the Moneus family’s home in Lafayette, Indiana.
During his sentencing hearing, Deputy Prosecutor Elyse Madigan described the crime as one of the worst she had encountered. She explained how Moneus’ actions were motivated by a twisted desire to “teach his wife a lesson” about disrespecting men.
Moneus’ actions were not only brutal but deeply disturbing, as he showed no remorse for the violence he inflicted on his wife and child.
The Attack on His Wife
After murdering his son, Moneus turned his aggression toward his wife, Edlie. He attacked her with a tire iron, fracturing her skull. When police arrived at the scene on August 10, 2024, they found evidence of the assault, including blood spatter, but Jacob was nowhere to be found. Moneus initially claimed to have no knowledge of his son’s whereabouts.
However, after a thorough search of the home, investigators discovered Jacob’s lifeless body in an orange bucket with a snap-on lid. The boy had been submerged in a dark-colored liquid, which was later determined to be laundry detergent.
An autopsy confirmed that Jacob died from asphyxia due to being immersed in the detergent. The discovery of the child’s body in such a horrific manner left authorities and the public stunned.
The Court’s Response
At the sentencing, Judge Steve Meyer expressed his disgust at the crime, calling it “one of the most grotesque murders” he had ever seen. He condemned Moneus for the cold and heartless manner in which he took his own child’s life.
Despite Moneus offering an apology through an interpreter, his words had little effect on the judge, who sentenced him to a total of 92 years in prison.
Moneus was sentenced to 62 years for the murder of his son and 30 years for the attempted murder of his wife. These sentences will be served consecutively, meaning Moneus will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.
The Motivation Behind the Crime
In court, it was revealed that Moneus’ motive for the murder was rooted in his belief that his wife, Edlie, had disrespected him. He wanted to teach her a lesson about respecting men, according to the prosecution.
His violent actions were not only directed at his wife but also at their helpless child, who suffered a cruel and senseless death.
Moneus, who speaks French Creole, reportedly did not understand the severity of his crime and initially seemed detached during his interrogation. His inability to grasp the horror of what he had done further added to the chilling nature of the case.
This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of domestic violence and the devastating impact it can have on families. The loss of a young life and the trauma experienced by the mother and other family members will last a lifetime.
Moneus’ conviction and sentence reflect the severity of his actions, ensuring that he will never be able to harm anyone again. Authorities continue to urge people to report signs of domestic violence and seek help before it’s too late.
