A 29-year-old man from Indiana, Eliasard Moneus, was sentenced to 92 years in prison for the brutal murder of his 3-month-old son, Jacob Moneus. The infant’s death, which involved being drowned in a bucket of laundry detergent, shocked the community and prompted a severe sentence from the court.
The Horrific Crime
On August 10, 2024, police responded to a domestic violence call from Moneus’ wife, Edlie, who had been attacked with a tire iron. She suffered severe injuries, including a fractured skull. After the attack, Moneus fled with their 3-month-old son, Jacob. When authorities arrived at the couple’s home, they found signs of a violent assault but no sign of the child.
The next day, officers found little Jacob in an orange bucket with a snap-seal lid, located near the kitchen trash can. The bucket contained a dark liquid, and Jacob’s body was discovered submerged in laundry detergent. The infant had drowned after being forced into the bucket. An autopsy later confirmed the cause of death as asphyxia due to being immersed in the detergent.
Motive Behind the Murder
Prosecutors revealed that Moneus had murdered his son in an attempt to “teach his wife a lesson.” According to Deputy Prosecutor Elyse Madigan, Moneus believed that his wife had been disrespectful to him and thought that killing their son would somehow teach her about the consequences of disrespecting a man. The details of the crime were chilling, and Madigan described the murder as one of the worst cases she had ever encountered.
Attempted Murder of His Wife
In addition to the murder charge, Moneus was convicted of attempted murder for the violent attack on his wife. After killing their son, Moneus brutally assaulted Edlie with a tire iron, leaving her severely injured. Despite the horrific nature of these actions, Moneus showed little remorse during the trial. He apologized for causing pain but did not seem to express any genuine understanding of the magnitude of his crimes.
The Court’s Response
At the sentencing, Judge Steve Meyer expressed disgust and disbelief over the crime, calling it “one of the most grotesque murders” he had ever seen. He emphasized that the act of drowning a 3-month-old child was beyond comprehension. In his final judgment, the judge sentenced Moneus to 92 years in a state correctional facility: 62 years for the murder of his son and 30 years for the attempted murder of his wife. The sentences will be served consecutively, meaning Moneus will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.
The sentencing of Eliasard Moneus brings a semblance of justice to the horrific tragedy that unfolded in Tippecanoe County. The murder of Jacob Moneus, coupled with the violent attack on his wife, has left the community and his surviving family members grappling with deep emotional scars. Moneus’ actions are a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence, and the sentence serves as a warning to anyone who would consider committing such heinous acts.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for support.
