Authorities in Indiana are currently investigating the tragic discovery of a deceased 3-month-old child, who was found inside a sealed bucket on Sunday morning.
According to Indianapolis Fox affiliate WXIN, the boy’s father, 28-year-old Eliasard Moneus, is now being considered a person of interest in his death. Moneus is currently being held at the Tippecanoe County Jail on charges related to domestic violence and attempted murder.
As per an arrest affidavit obtained by the station, officers from the Lafayette Police Department promptly responded to a hospital on Saturday afternoon regarding a domestic violence incident concerning Moneus’ wife.
According to reports, she informed the authorities that her husband, whom she had been married to for almost a year, allegedly assaulted her with a tire iron or wrench before leaving with their 3-month-old son, Jacob Moneus. According to reports, the wife sustained a fractured skull during the incident.
Officials responded by issuing a Silver Alert for Jacob, providing a photo and description of him, and expressing concern for his safety.
According to reports, law enforcement officers arrived at the residence and discovered signs of a violent incident, including blood splatter and other pieces of evidence. However, Jacob was not located at the scene.
According to reports, authorities discovered Moneus in Indianapolis during the early hours of Sunday morning and brought him in for questioning. Initially, he claimed ignorance about his son’s whereabouts, but later assured investigators that the boy was safe, according to the affidavit.
According to reports, Moneus has reportedly confessed to striking his wife “two or three times” with an object from his vehicle. According to reports, authorities conducted a second search of the residence on Sunday morning and tragically discovered Jacob’s lifeless body inside an orange container with a secure lid.
According to the Tippecanoe County Coroner, the initial findings indicate that the cause of death was asphyxia and the manner of death was determined to be homicide.
Lafayette police have announced the cancellation of the Silver Alert as of 9 a.m. Sunday.
Moneus has not been charged in Jacob’s death.