BEDFORD – Two health professionals testified Wednesday in Lawrence County Superior Court I about the neglectful death of 20-month-old Elliaunna Plummer.
Elli’s mother, 33-year-old Cheyenne Hill, is facing a Level 1 felony charge of child neglect causing death. She has pleaded not guilty to the crime.
Judge John Plummer III is presiding. Robert Hamilton of Salem is representing Hill. Deputy Prosecutors Sarah Cummings and Joshua Scherschel present the case for the state.
IU Child Protection Program Nurse Andrea Powers testified that there was no accidental history provided that would account for Elli’s injuries.
She testified Elli suffered severe bruising to her face, forehead, cheeks, chest, sides, lower back, hip, and arms. She also testified Elli did not suffer from any medical condition. She did say Elli’s injuries were consistent with neglect.
On November 26, 2022, Elli Plummer was pronounced dead at 4:35 p.m.
On November 29, 2022, a post-mortem examination conducted by Pathologist Doctor Amanda Paul revealed Elli was malnourished and had a laceration to her upper and lower mouth that were not from medical intervention, a right, acute clavicle fracture, and multiple subgaleal hemorrhages – an accumulation of blood that forms between a baby’s skull and the skin on their scalp. Dr. Paul concluded the manner of death was a homicide and the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.
Indiana Donor Network Family Service Representative Erin Lane testified that Hill wanted to donate Elli’s organs.
During her interaction, Hill told Lane, “Elli was not a nice kid.”
Tearfully, Lane testified that Hill referred to Elli as the next Jeffery Dahmer. Hill told Lane something was just right with Elli.
Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer, also known as the Milwaukee Cannibal or the Milwaukee Monster, was an American serial killer and sex offender who killed and dismembered seventeen males between 1978 and 1991.
“Her (Hill’s) nickname for her daughter was Taz, like the Tasmanian devil,” said Lane. “Cheyenne said Elli stirred up everything like a Tasmanian devil.”
Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Detective Captain Jim Slone returned to the stand and testified he asked Hill about calling her daughter Jeffery Dahmer.
“She laughed and called Elli an asshole,” Slone said.
Testimony will resume Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
