Travis Tuttle
An attorney for the non-custodial father accused in the death of his young son has asked that the defendant’s trail date of Oct. 31 remain on the court’s schedule.
Travis Tuttle, 38, of 4373 Serenity Drive is charged in Bartholomew Superior Court 1 with neglect of a dependent resulting in death as a Level 1 felony and possession of a narcotic drug as a Level 6 felony.
Investigators say evidence shows Tuttle is responsible for the March 21, 2021 death of 8-year-old Lealyn Tuttle. An autopsy revealed that the Clifty Creek second grader, who was staying the night with his father on a weekend visit, died from acute fentanyl and diphenhydramine intoxication, a coroner’s report states.
When detectives arrived at Tuttle’s apartment to investigate, they found a razor blade along with aluminum foil containing white powder residue near the boy’s body, according to court documents. The defendant’s cellphone contained photos of the victim with foil on his teeth and gums. Investigators say it appears the boy was using the foil to imitate having jewelry in his mouth, police said.
In the two-and-a-half years since his son’s death, three change of plea hearings have been scheduled for Tuttle. Early in March, it was revealed that a plea bargain had been offered by the prosecution. In response, public defender Aaron Edwards told Bartholomew Superior Court 1 Judge James Worton the defense needed more time to consider the proposal.
But on June 16, Edwards requested the trial date of Oct. 31 remain on the court’s schedule. He took the same position during Monday’s change of plea hearing.
The next court hearing int he case is an 11 a.m. Oct. 23 pre-trial conference, according to court records.
