State requests life sentence for man charged in death of girlfriend's daughter

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office announced Thursday that a request has been filed for life sentence without parole for a man charged in the death of his girlfriend's 3-year-old daughter.

Jose Cruz, 20, was charged with one count of murder in the death of his girlfriend's daughter, Carmen Ellis, in August.


“Following our established procedure, this office made a careful and deliberate decision in requesting a life sentence without parole for Jose Cruz,” said Prosecutor Terry Curry.  “The case was considered in its entirety and thoroughly reviewed before the decision was made that the circumstances of Carmen’s death justify the imposition of life without parole.”

Police responded to Cruz’s home on Long Wharf Drive and found the girl unresponsive and covered from head to toe in bruises.  Ellis was transported to Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health in critical condition, but succumbed to her injuries later that night.

In the state’s request for a life sentence without parole, the state must allege at least one aggravating factor.  The prosecutor’s office is arguing the 3-year-old girl was tortured while she was alive and that she was younger than 12 years old at the time of her death.

Cruz is expected to appear in court on Oct. 24 for his hearing.