On Sunday morning, Indiana investigators probing the disappearance of a 3-month-old kid allegedly discovered his body inside a sealed bucket.
According to Indianapolis Fox affiliate WXIN, the boy’s father, 28-year-old Eliasard Moneus, is now being investigated in connection with his death. According to Tippecanoe County Jail records, Moneus is being jailed on accusations of domestic abuse and attempted murder.
According to an arrest affidavit acquired by the station, police from the Lafayette Police Department rushed to a hospital about noon on Saturday to investigate a domestic violence incident involving Moneus’ wife.
She reportedly told police that her spouse of over a year attacked her with a tire iron or wrench before fleeing with their 3-month-old son, Jacob Moneus. The event resulted in the wife’s skull being cracked.
This prompted officials to issue a Silver Alert for Jacob, which included a picture and description of the kid and stated that he could be in danger.
According to the affidavit, officers responded to the home and discovered blood splatter and other evidence of an assault, but they did not find Jacob. Police reportedly apprehended Moneus in Indianapolis early Sunday morning and detained him for interrogation. According to the complaint, he initially told authorities he had no idea where his son was, but later stated that he was well.
Moneus also allegedly admitted beating his wife “two or three times” with a tool from his car. According to the complaint, officers searched the home again early Sunday morning and discovered Jacob dead inside an orange bucket with a snap-seal lid.
The Tippecanoe County Coroner stated that the preliminary cause of death was asphyxia, with homicide as the method of death.
Lafayette police announced the cancelation of the Silver Alert just after 9 a.m. on Sunday.
Moneus has yet to face charges in Jacob’s killing.