Greyson Lee Cunningham was found with severe swelling and blood between his scalp and his skull, according to an autopsy
Credit: Frurip-May Funeral Home; LaGrange County Sheriff’s Office
NEED TO KNOW
- Chantel Cunningham allegedly changed her story multiple times during the months-long investigation into the death of 5-month-old Greyson Lee Cunningham
- Police say a search of her phone revealed concerning Google inquiries she’d made on the day he died
- An autopsy determined Greyson had injuries that could not have stemmed from an accident
An Indiana mother is facing murder charges in connection with the death of her infant in April.
The child, 5-month-old Greyson Lee Cunningham, died in his Shipshewana, Ind., home on April 6, according to an online obituary.
His mother, Chantel Cunningham, was charged this month in the case, according to online court records reviewed by PEOPLE.
The investigation began when police responded to Chantel’s residence on April 6, hours after a friend received a call from her reportedly sounding extremely distressed, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by WANE.
That friend, accompanied by another friend, then went to her residence and found Greyson on the bed unresponsive, blue, cold and limp, investigators allege in the affidavit.
The child was pronounced dead an hour later.
Police say over the course of the months-long investigation, Chantel repeatedly changed details of her account, per the affidavit. She allegedly told investigators she’d had multiple seizures on April 6 and dropped Greyson several times.
She told police she needs medication to treat her seizures, and police found she had not been taking those medications in the months leading up to Greyson’s death, WSBT reported, citing court documents.
Her account of the number of seizures and instances of when she dropped Greyson would change over time, police allege in the affidavit cited by WANE.
A search of her phone revealed she had Googled “how do I wuickly [sic] heal a baby bruise” before calling her friend, according to investigators, WANE reported.
An autopsy determined Greyson suffered multiple injuries that left him with severe swelling, blood between his scalp and his skull and bleeding around his eyes, the outlet reported, citing the autopsy. The autopsy noted these injuries could not have been accidental.
Credit: Frurip-May Funeral Home
Greyson is being remembered in an online obituary as a child “full of laughter and joy” and “giggles and lots of cooing.”
“He also loved kicking and playing with his hands. He would always look for his dad in the room and would always love grabbing, pulling and smiling at his mama,” read part of the tribute.
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Police did not release a possible motive for the alleged crime.
Chantel has been charged with one count of murder and one count of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, according to online court records reviewed by PEOPLE.
Attorney and plea information were not included in the records.
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.
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