BEDFORD – Forensic Pathologist Dr. Amanda Paul described in detail the injuries that caused 20-month-old Elliaunna Plummer’s death.
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.
Elli was taken to IU Health Bedford Hospital on November 23, 2022. She was then flown to Riley Children’s Hospital.
On November 26, 2022, Elli Plummer was pronounced dead at 4:35 p.m. after showing no brain activity. Elli’s organs were donated.
On November 29, 2022, a post-mortem examination was conducted by Pathologist Doctor Amanda Paul. The 7-page autopsy report revealed Elli was malnourished and had lacerations to her upper and lower mouth that were not from medical intervention and a right, acute clavicle fracture.
Elli also had numerous bruises.
“They were in different stages of healing,” Dr. Paul testified. “The clavicle fracture was from blunt force, a force against the bone that caused it to break,” Dr. Paul said.
Elli suffered multiple subgaleal hemorrhages – an accumulation of blood that forms between a baby’s skull and the skin on their scalp.
“She suffered multiple impacts throughout the whole head,” Dr. Paul testified. “She had subdural bleeding to both sides of her head but more on the right side. The head injury would have been fatal….She was brain-dead for a while before she was pronounced dead.”
She testified the injuries occurred after November 21.
Dr. Paul concluded the manner of death was a homicide and the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.
After Dr. Paul’s testimony, the state rested its case. On Friday, the defense will have an opportunity to call witnesses. Court will resume at 8:30 a.m. The jury is expected to begin deliberating Friday afternoon.
