Missing 3-Month-Old Was Found Asphyxiated Inside a Bucket, Father Arrested: Police

Mar. 15, 2025

3-month-old Jacob Moneus.Photo:Lafayette Police Department/Facebook.com

Lafayette Police Department/Facebook.com

An Indiana man is facing murder, attempted murder and battery charges after authorities allege that he left his 3-month-old son inside a bucket, causing the child to asphyxiate, while he attacked his wife.

Back on Aug. 10, the Lafayette police department issueda Silver Alertfor 3-month-old Jacob Moneus, stating that the boy had been abducted and was in “extreme danger and may require medical assistance.”

Investigators allege in the affidavit that earlier that day, Jacob was sitting at home with his mother, who was watching a televised church service, when Moneus came into the apartment, took Jacob out of his wife’s hands and left.

Jacob Moneus.Lafayette Police Department/Facebook.com

Moneus' wife alleged to investigators that he was not in her presence for about 30 minutes, though he was in the apartment. When he returned to the room she was in, he began hitting her with a “tire iron or wrench multiple times,” the affidavit states. She did not know where Moneus had allegedly taken Jacob, she added.

After speaking with the suspect’s wife, police began searching statewide for both Moneus and Jacob, the affidavit states. Indianapolis police eventually located the suspect at an apartment complex in Lawrence, Ind. that same day.

Police then arrested him in connection with the alleged domestic incident, and questioned him about where Jacob was. He told officers that he didn’t know where his son was, authorities allege. He also allegedly told investigators that he wished his wife would have died from her injuries, according to the affidavit.

Eliarsard Moneus via the Tippecanoe County Jail.Lafayette Police Department

Lafayette Police Department

The following day, just before 5 a.m., police were conducting a search at Moneus' Lafayette apartment — where police allege the domestic incident had occurred — when an officer opened an orange bucket of a dark liquid sitting next to a garbage can in the home and found an infant’s body inside, according to the affidavit.

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Moneus could face 45 to 65 years in prison if convicted of murder, as well as 20 to 40 years in prison if convicted in connection with the alleged attempted murder of his wife, the outlet added. He also signed a no-contact order for his wife, and court records state that his jury trial is set to begin on Jan. 21, 2025. He is next due in court on Sept. 30.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

source: people.com