Witnesses describe injuries

She told police she didn’t know how her son died so fast.

The prosecution shared more evidence Tuesday and Wednesday to attempt to prove otherwise.

Jay Circuit Court proceedings for the murder trial of Chelsea L. Crossland of Portland continued Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.

Crossland, 28, is on trial for the March 24, 2022, death of her 5-year-old son, Christian. She’s charged with murder as well as a Level 1 felony for neglect of a dependent resulting in death.

Matthew Teusch of Indiana State Police explained Tuesday afternoon he responded to the scene after being informed of a “deceased child with suspicious circumstances.” Teusch later served a search warrant on Crossland’s home at 689 S. Western Ave., Portland, to find a black and blue notebook — it said, “I hate Trevor,” the partner to a friend of Crossland’s who served as Christian’s caretaker for a while — as well as a checkered blanket, which he said smelled of urine. They also found a trash bag that one of Crossland’s children said Chelsea placed Christian inside. (Her 8-year-old and 10-year-old daughters both testified Tuesday.)

Teusch confirmed there was no DNA analysis done for the case, saying there was no need.

Teusch interviewed Crossland after Christian’s death. As seen in video footage of the interview, Teusch repeatedly informed Crossland she could leave at any time. He recalled seeing her other children, who he said looked fine and well-fed.

During the interview, Crossland explained she works as a certified nurse’s assistant (CNA). She became hesitant to share certain details with Teusch, such as about her other children, who she said were “absolutely OK.” She also didn’t have her mother or sister’s phone numbers and said she contacts them through social media.