Mom who believed her daughter would be 'next Jeffrey Dahmer' shows no emotion as she's sentenced to life for child neglect that led to toddler's brutal death - as her horrifying text messages are revealed

A mother in Indiana who believed her daughter would be the 'next Jeffrey Dahmer' showed no emotion as she was sentenced to 30 years in prison for her child's death.

Cheyenne Hill, 34, was found guilty of neglect, which led to 20-month-old Elliaunna Plummer dying on November 26, 2022, by a jury in Lawrence County in February. 

Judge John Plummer III sentenced her to 30 years in prison on Tuesday and told the court: 'This is a sad case, very sad.'

Elliaunna was rushed to hospital in 2022 suffering from a brain bleed, broken collarbone and bruises to her head and face.

Her mother was arrested and formally charged in September 2023 as police opened an investigation into her death.

Indiana mother Cheyenne Hill, 34, who believed her daughter would be the 'next Jeffrey Dahmer', showed no emotion as she was sentenced to 30 years in prison for her child's death

She was found guilty of neglect, which led to 20-month-old Elliaunna Plummer dying on November 26, 2022, by a jury in Lawrence County in February

Hill was ordered to serve decades behind bars by Judge Plummer and declared it as justice for Elliaunna. 

'This little girl needed someone to advocate for her, speak up for her, and protect her,' he said.

'It was Cheyenne’s responsibility to do that, and she did not. This is very tragic. This was an emotional case and was hard for everyone. To some extent, there is justice for Elliaunna today.'

Shocking detail about Elliaunna's injuries were first revealed in a probable cause affidavit in August 2023.

'Pictures of [the girl] prior to being transported to Indianapolis revealed a swollen and deformed head and bruising on her forehead and the left and right sides of her face,' a detective wrote.

'Red-brownish marks were observable underneath both eyes.'

The case worker who called the police said two tips were left anonymously with the Department of Child Services about Hill, days before the young girl was taken to hospital.

They reported almost certain child abuse and possible drug use. 

'The caller reported [the girl] had had what appeared to be three fingerprint marks on one side of her face and one on the other consistent with what seemed to have been caused by someone grabbing her face and squeezing,' the affidavit continues. 

'The caller described [the girl’s] condition as lethargic, that she would not wake up, appeared ‘half dead,’ and could barely hold her head up. 

Hill was ordered to serve 30 years behind bars by Judge Plummer and declared it as justice for Elliaunna

Shocking detail about Elliaunna's injuries were first revealed in a probable cause affidavit in August 2023

'The caller stated [the girl’s] mother left for work, leaving [the girl] with the individual she had been living with despite [the girl’s] condition.' 

Prosecutors said Hill was selfish and cared more about smoking weed, getting fast food, keeping her boyfriend and living with him than her daughter.

The court heard horrifying comments from Hill about her daughter including an interview with a representative for a donor network.

She said her daughter was 'not a nice kid' and believed 'something wasn't right with her' and would be the next Jeffrey Dahmer.

A month before Elliaunna died, she sent her boyfriend Cameron Fleming a message which read: '[She] was f****** terrible last night when we came back. I wouldn’t stop crying. I wanted to throw her.'

The following week she told him: 'Let me get this a****** to bed.' 

Investigators asked Hill why she went to work on the same day her daughter was unconscious in hospital. 

Prosecutors do not know who caused the injuries which killed Elliaunna but the jury concluded the neglect had the same effect. 

'She did it knowingly,' Chief Deputy Prosecutor Joshua Scherschel said in his closing argument. 

'We don’t know beyond a reasonable doubt who did the physical act that killed Elli Plummer.

'Unfortunately we do know her mother had a responsibility to care for that child, but she put her in danger to the point of death.'