Crossland sentenced to life

Chelsea Crossland, the Portland woman who was found guilty in July of killing her 5-year-old son, has been sentenced to imprisonment for life without parole. Jay Circuit Court Judge Brian Hutchison formally sentenced Crossland during a hearing Thursday.

Crossland was found guilty July 19 by a Jay Circuit Court jury of murder and neglect of a dependent resulting in death. The jury also recommended imprisonment for life without parole.

Chief public defender Brandon Murphy asked the court to consider giving Crossland the advisory sentence of 55 years for murder.

“I understand I’m bound by the jury,” said Hutchison. “Even if I’m not … I think life without parole is a very appropriate sentence.”

Per Indiana statute, “if the jury reaches a sentencing recommendation, the court shall sentence the defendant accordingly.” (There’s an exception for if a jury isn’t able to agree on a sentence recommendation.)

Hutchison noted the severity of the case. Details presented during the jury trial indicated Chelsea Crossland starved and beat her son, Christian, over the course of 74 days. An autopsy showed Christian suffered from dehydration, malnourishment and blunt force trauma to the head and mouth.

“There are people out there who hope you get the (same treatment as Christian),” said Hutchison. “I would rather the scales fall from your eyes and you live the remainder of your years in horror …”

But, he added, nothing about her demeanor regarding the case gave him reason to believe she would feel remorse.

Christina Easton took the witness stand that morning to share a few words with the court. She referenced family and others seated in the courtroom who had come in support of Christian. Easton thanked the prosecution and police for pursuing justice for Christian.

“We just wanted to say how much (we loved him) … and how big of a hole it’s going to be in our family (without him),” she said.

According to information presented in the case last month, the Easton family cared for Christian for a few years in New Castle. He was placed back in Chelsea Crossland’s home in January 2022.