LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Three-month-old Jacob Moneus likely died before Lafayette police even issued the Silver Alert for the infant on Saturday afternoon.
News that the baby had been found dead stunned some neighbors Sunday morning in Acorn Apartment in the 2500 block of Lexington Court, especially those who lived in the same apartment building. They never noticed any problems in the couple’s second-floor apartment and never heard any arguing or fighting, neighbors said.
But Sunday morning, the apartment was sealed and the baby’s father, Elisard Moneus, 28, of the 2500 block of Lexington Court in Lafayette, was jailed on suspicion of battering his wife. He has not yet been charged with homicide or murder.
Police issued the Silver Alert for baby Jacob after the infant’s mother, bloodied and severely battered, drove herself to the hospital for treatment on Saturday afternoon, Lafayette police Sgt. Shawn Verma said. From there, police went to the apartment to investigate the battery and look for the baby.
“When the officers were initially inside the apartment checking out the scene, baby was nowhere to be found,” Verma said.
But the baby was there all along.
“The baby was in the apartment,” Verma said, but officers didn’t find the infant until about 5:30 a.m. Sunday.
“The baby was located,” Verma said. “He was concealed in an area that an officer would never think to look.
“I don’t know what prompted the officer to be like, ‘Oh, let me open this,'” Verma said. “When the officer opened that he discovered the deceased baby.”
Tippecanoe County Coroner Carrie Costello said she was called to the scene about 5:30 a.m. Sunday.
Police identified the baby as Jacob Moneus, but Costello has not confirmed any identification for the child. Costello said she will release the name once the child is positively identified.
A forensic autopsy is scheduled for Monday, Costello said, adding she is treating this death investigation as a homicide.
As for the baby’s father, Elisard Moneus, drew some attention from a neighbor Saturday.
“I did see the guy come outside the house when I was going back to work,” a neighbor said. “I just saw the man come outside and just rush. Like, he left in a hurry.”
Elisard Moneus didn’t get far.
Indianapolis police arrested Elisard Moneus, and Lafayette police picked him up in Indy, Verma said.
Elisard Moneus did not comment about how his wife was battered and assaulted, Verma said. She told police that Elisard Moneus used a tire-iron-like rod to beat her in the head and body.
Detectives plan to question Elisard Moneus Sunday about baby Jacob’s death.
Meanwhile, Elisard Moneus sits in jail without bond on suspicion of crimes against his wife, including attempted murder, domestic battery with serious bodily injury, domestic battery with a deadly weapon and domestic battery in the presence of a child, according to online jail records.
The battery and baby Jacob’s death remain under investigation, police said.
Jillian Ellison is a reporter for the Journal and Courier. She can be reached via email at [email protected]. Follow her on X at @ellison_writes.
Reach Ron Wilkins at [email protected]. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Missing Lafayette infant Jacob Moneus found dead; father in custody
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