DATE: Monday, July 31, 2023
SUBJECT: Parents Arrested after Infant Sustains Catastrophic Injuries at Home
RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-NR-0731
CONTACT: Sheriff Noah Robinson
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the parents of a five month-old infant who suffered life-threatening injuries at his home.
On Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 9:31 PM, Cheyenne Elmore-Sitz and Javontae Goldsby called 911 to report they had checked on their child in his crib and found that he was not breathing. Goldsby began CPR while EMS and Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the apartment, located in southeast Vanderburgh County. Arriving EMS and Evansville Fire Department personnel took over life-saving measures and were able to restore a pulse. The infant was transported to St. Vincent Hospital and eventually placed on a ventilator. After exhaustive efforts, the infant was stabilized and later transported by ambulance to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. The infant remains on life support in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
A medical examination revealed the infant had sustained a skull fracture, subdural hematomas, retinal hemorrhages, and subarachnoid bleeding. The injuries were described as consistent with violent shaking and/or an impact. The infant has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and is not likely to survive. The injuries were found to be consistent with abusive head trauma and were described by doctors as inflicted injuries. In addition to describing the injuries as inflicted, medical personnel advised that the infant’s life-threatening condition would have been obvious around the time the infant was reportedly put to bed.
Sheriff’s Office detectives, with the assistance of the Indiana Department of Child Services, began an investigation and interviewed both parents. Neither could offer any explanation, accidental or otherwise, for the infant’s injuries. Both parents told investigators that the infant had not been in the care of anyone else during the time period in which the injuries occurred. Both denied inflicting the injuries or having any knowledge or belief that the other had hurt the infant. Conflicting statements were given by each regarding which parent had put the infant to bed prior to the discovery that the infant was not breathing.
Elmore-Sitz and Goldsby have a second, older child approximately two years of age. The Department of Child Services has taken custody of that child.
The parents were arrested today by sheriff’s deputies assigned to the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force. Both Elmore-Sitz and Goldsby were transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail where they will be held without bond until making a court appearance.
ARRESTED:
Cheyenne Autumn Elmore-Sitz, 23, of Evansville. Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Catastrophic Injury as a Level 1 Felony, Aggravated Battery as a Level 3 Felony
Javontae Leekindrink Goldsby, 31, of Evansville. Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Catastrophic Injury as a Level 1 Felony, Aggravated Battery as a Level 3 Felony
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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