LAFAYETTE — A 28-year-old man from Muncie has been charged with the murder of his 3-month-old son who was found dead on Sunday morning.
Eliasard Moneus has been charged with the following:
- One count of murder
- One count of attempted murder
- One count of aggravated battery
- One count of criminal confinement
- Two counts of domestic battery
Jacob Moneus was reported missing on Saturday and a Silver Alert was issued due to the extreme danger he was believed to be in.
According to Lafayette Police Department, Moneus was located dead inside the apartment where he was reported missing from.
According to the Lafayette Police Department, a man and his wife, later identified as baby Jacob's mother, were involved in a domestic dispute on Saturday. The man was simply referred to as a "father figure" to Jacob.
Jacob's mother, according to police, suffered a skull fracture in the domestic disturbance.
She drove herself to IU Hospital in Lafayette for treatment. At the hospital, the woman explained that she had a 3-month-old son but was not sure where he was. She explained that her husband took Jacob from the home about 30 minutes before returning to hit her with a “tire iron or wrench” multiple time in the head.
Police searched the apartment at Acorn Acres Apartment in Lafayette but did not find the man or Jacob.
IMPD later contacted and the man, identified as Eliasard Moneus. Lafayette PD traveled to Indianapolis and arrested him for preliminary charges relating to the attack on his wife.
In a second search on the apartment on Sunday, the body of Jacob was located.
According to court documents, Jacob was found inside a sealed bucket next to their trash can. Inside the can with Jacob was an unknown dark-colored liquid.
Jacob's death has been ruled a homicide by asphyxiation by the Tippecanoe County Coroner.
The toxicology of the unknown liquid is still pending and can take up to six to eight weeks to be identified.
LPD said the couple got married 11 months ago.
Officers used a translator to question Eliasard Moneus. At one point, he told police his baby was okay but refused to say anything else. He also said he used a tool from his car to hit his wife and wanted her to die.
