Mother Sentenced to 42 Years in Prison for Role in Torture and Murder of 4-Year-Old Son in Indiana
Jan 09, 12:00 PM
A tragic case of child abuse and murder has concluded with the sentencing of 28-year-old Mary Yoder to 42 years in a state correctional facility for her role in the torture and killing of her 4-year-old son, Judah Morgan. The heartbreaking incident occurred in 2021, and it has sent shockwaves through the community and the nation.
LaPorte County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Alevizos handed down the sentence on Friday, marking a grim chapter in a case that has horrified the public. Yoder had previously pleaded guilty to one count of neglect resulting in the death of a dependent and one count of domestic battery to a child. These charges were linked to the abuse suffered by Judah's younger sibling, further emphasizing the severity of the situation.
The child's father, Alan Morgan, had earlier pleaded guilty in 2022 to multiple felonies, including murder and battery, directly related to Judah's death. He received a 70-year prison sentence for his actions.
As part of her plea agreement with prosecutors, Mary Yoder admitted to physically and emotionally abusing both Judah and her other child. She also confessed to failing to intervene or contact authorities regarding her husband, who subjected Judah to torturous punishments regularly. During Friday's hearing, Yoder expressed remorse and stated that she missed her "sweet boy." However, Judge Alevizos reacted strongly, displaying a photo of Judah's autopsy and remarking, "Look at him. Unbelievable."
The horrific events came to light when authorities responded to a 911 call at Yoder and Morgan's rural home at around 3 a.m. on October 11, 2021. They found Judah's bruised and bloodied naked body wrapped in a blanket inside a bedroom. Yoder had made the call, informing the dispatcher that Morgan had become violent and harmed Judah.
Evidence presented at Alan Morgan's trial revealed a pattern of systematic abuse inflicted on Judah. The father frequently physically and emotionally abused his son, often locking him in a dark basement, naked, for extended periods due to toilet training issues. He also withheld food and water from the child and used duct tape to silence him. Surveillance footage from inside the home showed disturbing incidents of physical violence, with Morgan punching Judah multiple times.
Judah ultimately succumbed to blunt force trauma to the head, resulting in massive bleeding on his brain, as determined by an autopsy. Medical professionals described his injuries as among the most severe cases of blunt force trauma they had ever seen.
Inside the family's home, investigators discovered a basement with no working lights, containing a toddler potty training toilet, training pants, and a single blanket. The basement was covered in feces and remnants of torn duct tape, providing a harrowing glimpse into the suffering Judah endured.
Before the sentencing, Jenna Hullett, Judah's second cousin and foster mother, addressed the court, expressing her deep anger towards Mary Yoder. She had been forced to give up custody of Judah only months before his tragic death and had repeatedly reached out to Yoder, seeking help and intervention, which went unanswered.
This heart-wrenching case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of reporting child abuse and neglect, and the dire consequences that can result when such pleas for help go unheeded. The sentencing of Mary Yoder and Alan Morgan represents a form of justice for young Judah Morgan, but it also underscores the need for greater awareness and action to protect vulnerable children from abuse and harm.
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LaPorte County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Alevizos handed down the sentence on Friday, marking a grim chapter in a case that has horrified the public. Yoder had previously pleaded guilty to one count of neglect resulting in the death of a dependent and one count of domestic battery to a child. These charges were linked to the abuse suffered by Judah's younger sibling, further emphasizing the severity of the situation.
The child's father, Alan Morgan, had earlier pleaded guilty in 2022 to multiple felonies, including murder and battery, directly related to Judah's death. He received a 70-year prison sentence for his actions.
As part of her plea agreement with prosecutors, Mary Yoder admitted to physically and emotionally abusing both Judah and her other child. She also confessed to failing to intervene or contact authorities regarding her husband, who subjected Judah to torturous punishments regularly. During Friday's hearing, Yoder expressed remorse and stated that she missed her "sweet boy." However, Judge Alevizos reacted strongly, displaying a photo of Judah's autopsy and remarking, "Look at him. Unbelievable."
The horrific events came to light when authorities responded to a 911 call at Yoder and Morgan's rural home at around 3 a.m. on October 11, 2021. They found Judah's bruised and bloodied naked body wrapped in a blanket inside a bedroom. Yoder had made the call, informing the dispatcher that Morgan had become violent and harmed Judah.
Evidence presented at Alan Morgan's trial revealed a pattern of systematic abuse inflicted on Judah. The father frequently physically and emotionally abused his son, often locking him in a dark basement, naked, for extended periods due to toilet training issues. He also withheld food and water from the child and used duct tape to silence him. Surveillance footage from inside the home showed disturbing incidents of physical violence, with Morgan punching Judah multiple times.
Judah ultimately succumbed to blunt force trauma to the head, resulting in massive bleeding on his brain, as determined by an autopsy. Medical professionals described his injuries as among the most severe cases of blunt force trauma they had ever seen.
Inside the family's home, investigators discovered a basement with no working lights, containing a toddler potty training toilet, training pants, and a single blanket. The basement was covered in feces and remnants of torn duct tape, providing a harrowing glimpse into the suffering Judah endured.
Before the sentencing, Jenna Hullett, Judah's second cousin and foster mother, addressed the court, expressing her deep anger towards Mary Yoder. She had been forced to give up custody of Judah only months before his tragic death and had repeatedly reached out to Yoder, seeking help and intervention, which went unanswered.
This heart-wrenching case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of reporting child abuse and neglect, and the dire consequences that can result when such pleas for help go unheeded. The sentencing of Mary Yoder and Alan Morgan represents a form of justice for young Judah Morgan, but it also underscores the need for greater awareness and action to protect vulnerable children from abuse and harm.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com