Plea bargain being considered in Tuttle case

Travis Tuttle

COLUMBUS, Ind. — A plea bargain has been offered to a non-custodial father facing felony neglect charges in the death of his young son.

Investigators say their evidence indicates Travis E. Tuttle, 37, of 4373 Serenity Drive, is responsible for the March 21, 2021 death of 8-year-old son, Lealyn Tuttle, according to court records. An autopsy showed the Clifty Creek second grader, who was staying the night with his father on a weekend visit, died from acute fentanyl and diphenhydramine intoxication.

Detectives 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.

Travis Tuttle is charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death as a Level 1 felony and possession of a narcotic drug as a Level 6 felony in Bartholomew Superior Court 1.

While the plea bargain was brought up during a pre-trial conference Monday, public defender Aaron Edwards told Judge James Worton the defense needs more time to consider the proposal from the prosecutor’s office.

Since it has not yet been submitted to the court, the plea bargain is not part of the public record at this time.

After Bartholomew County Prosecutor Lindsey Holden-Kay agreed to a postponement, Worton scheduled new hearing dates in the case. A change of plea hearing has been set for June 26 at 9:45 p.m.; a final pre-trial conference is scheduled for July 10; and a tentative trial date of July 18 at 8:30 a.m. has been put on the court’s calendar.