IN Cheryl Yates, missing since 10/3/25, son charged with murder, body burned in back yard

[legalmomma]

https://fox59.com/news/docs-clinton-man-killed-mother-burned-body-in-back-yard/

backyard.

…
“We proceeded to the backyard where we discovered bones within the burn pit. The shape and appearance of the bones would lead one to believe that they perhaps were human bones. Particularly indicative of a human bone was one bone which appeared to be that of a human spinal cord,” stated the affidavit.

Court documents stated that on Oct. 6, Yates was interviewed by deputies. He said he hadn’t seen his mother for a month and that when he saw her on Oct. 3, they had gotten into a dispute about Yates moving out. The affidavit stated that Yates claimed that he struck his mother in the throat before her face turned blue and she fell backward, hitting her head on the metal bed frame and a nearby wooden chest.

 

[legalmomma]

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A 20-year-old from Clinton, Indiana held on a murder charge accused of killing his mom, putting her in a box and setting the box on fire.

Nicholas Yates first reported his mom missing on October 5th, but police quickly learned Cheryl Yates wasn't just missing.

According the probable cause Yates told Indiana State Police the last time he saw his mom was on October 3rd but didn't report her missing until the 5th.

Police contacted Cheryl's employer who told authorities when they last saw her she was upset at Nicholas for spending too much money and she had been paying all of his bills.

During a search of Cheryl's property, in the backyard of their home there was a smoldering fire. Yates told police he was burning DCS papers that belonged to this mom and said he was burning them so he didn't get in trouble for having confidential papers.

When police looked closer they discovered bones in the fire pit and thought they were human - and they were.

Yates eventually admitted he got into a fight with his mom when she asked him to leave the home. He said he hit his mother in the throat, he said she turned blue and then she hit her head on a large wooden chest.

Yates said he then put his mom in the wooden box, then a day later put the box in the fire pit and set it on fire.

He is currently behind held in the Vermillion County Jail. We have requested his mugshot.

 

[GraceG]

There's more to the story. The mother filed for and was granted guardianship in late 2024 of her "adult incapacitated" son Nicholas. That will likely play out in his trial, if he's deemed competent to stand trial (my own opinion there, not knowing the details of his incapacation).
Here are the details available of both cases: Indiana Courts Case Search - MyCase

State of Indiana v. Nicholas Thomas Yates
Case Number 83C01-2510-MR-000001
Court Vermillion County Circuit Court
Type MR - Murder
Filed 10/07/2025
Status 10/07/2025 , Pending (active)
Defendant Yates, Nicholas Thomas Address: 364 S. Davis Street
Clinton, IN 47842
State Plaintiff State of Indiana
Charges
Show all charge details
35-42-1-1(1): Murder
Chronological Case Summary
Case Opened as a New Filing 10/07/2025
Probable Cause Affidavit Filed 10/07/2025 Filed By:State of Indiana
Initial Hearing
Session:10/08/2025 9:45 AM, Judicial Officer: Wrede, Chris A.

In Re: the Guardianship of Nicholas T. Yates
Case Number 83C01-2407-GU-000014
Court Vermillion County Circuit Court
Type GU - Guardianship
Filed 07/01/2024
Status 08/27/2024 , Decided
Parties to the Case
Incapacitated Adult/Child Yates, Nicholas T.
Petitioner Yates, Cheryl L
Address for both: 364 S Davis St.
Clinton, IN 47842
Chronological Case Summary
07/01/2024 Case Opened as a New Filing
07/01/2024 Appearance Filed For Party:Yates, Cheryl L.
07/01/2024 Petition to Establish Guardianship Filed
08/27/2024 Order Granting Petition to Establish Guardianship
Issued by: Daniel Young, Judge
08/27/2024 Hearing Journal Entry
Cheryl Yates appears in person and with Counsel, Nicholas Sauter. Nicholas Yates also appears. Hearing held. Witness sworn. Testimony heard. Court grants guardianship.
08/27/2024 Document Filed
Letters of Guardianship Filed.