A 33-year-old Indiana woman was found guilty of child neglect, causing the death of her 20-month-old daughter, Ellianna Plummer.
Following her conviction in February for the death of her daughter, Cheyenne Hill was sentenced to thirty years in prison, according to the Lawrence County Prosecutor's Office.
Cheyenne Hill's case came to light in September 2023 when she was arrested in Michigan and transported back to Lawrence County to face charges.
The investigation revealed a series of concerning incidents leading up to the death of Ellianna Plummer.
Witnesses had noticed bruising and swelling on the child's face and head, but Hill disregarded their concerns.
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It was reported that she had even told one witness not to seek medical help for Ellianna. The child was not taken to a hospital until eight days later when she was diagnosed with a brain bleed, a broken collarbone, and head and facial bruising.
On November 25, 2022, Hill allegedly said to an Indiana Donor Network Family Service staffer that she thought her child was "not a nice kid."
Hill continued by saying that "something wasn't right with her" and that her daughter was going to be the next Jeffrey Dahmer, according to FOX 59.
When the child died, Hill's neighbor was questioned by authorities, and she revealed that the child's face was covered in bruises Hill allegedly said, "One day she's going to kill somebody," pointing to her own daughter, as she glanced at the neighbor.
Court records state that Hill spoke with investigators when her daughter was still in the hospital, in critical condition. Investigators alleged that Hill fled the scene to go to work even though the girl was in critical condition.
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Subsequently, investigators questioned how, during a time of crisis, Hill could have compared her daughter to a serial killer like Jeffrey Dahmer, and Hill allegedly started laughing and referred to her dying daughter as an "a**hole."
After a jury trial, Cheyenne Hill was found guilty of child neglect causing death, a Level 1 felony. On April 23, 2024, she appeared before Lawrence County Superior Court I Judge John Plummer II for sentencing. Dressed in an orange jumpsuit, Hill showed no emotion as she received a sentence of 30 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections. The sentencing marked the end of a highly emotional and tragic chapter.
Judge John Plummer expressed his sorrow over the case, emphasizing that Ellianna Plummer needed someone to advocate for her and protect her, a responsibility that Cheyenne Hill failed to fulfill. While the sentencing brought some form of justice for Ellianna, the loss of a young life remained a heartbreaking reality.
During the sentencing hearing, family members and friends testified, shedding light on Cheyenne Hill's character and the impact of Ellianna's death on the family. Hill's mother, Michelle Fleenor, and sister, Jennifer East, spoke in defense of Hill, claiming that she loved her baby and was a good mother. However, they acknowledged the strained relationship they had with Hill leading up to Ellianna's death.
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Michelle Fleenor expressed her guilt and regret for not being there for Cheyenne and Ellianna when they needed support. She highlighted the emotional toll the tragedy took on Hill, causing her to experience panic attacks and lose her appetite. Jennifer East echoed these sentiments, describing her sister as a gentle person and emphasizing the shattered state of their family.
Prosecutors Sarah Cummings and Joshua Scherschel presented a compelling case against Cheyenne Hill, highlighting her negligence and failure to provide proper care for her daughter.
They argued that while it may never be known beyond a reasonable doubt who physically caused Ellianna's injuries, Hill's actions and inactions put the child's life in danger. The prosecution pointed out that Hill did not call 911 or seek immediate medical help for Ellianna, ultimately leading to her tragic death.
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