VANDERBURGH COUNTY, INDIANA – Jonathan Richardson, a man convicted of the manual strangulation murder of his 11-month-old stepdaughter, was released from an Indiana prison in late December 2025, having served fewer than half of his 55-year sentence. The release, which occurred without prior notification to local law enforcement or the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor's Office, has ignited public safety concerns and calls for legislative action.
"On the day he murdered my child, I personally observed Plaintiff with a fresh bleeding tattoo of my child’s name on his arm while I was at the hospital that evening. I live in fear for myself and my children of the day [Richardson] is released from prison, which largely increases at the thought that [his] identity may be concealed upon release." — Mother of the Victim
Richardson, who uses the name Autumn Cordellione, was sentenced following the death of his infant stepdaughter. According to reports, the child was left in Richardson's care when the incident occurred. Friends who visited that day noted something appeared amiss, as Richardson turned them away at the door. He later sought assistance from a neighbor to call 911. The child was pronounced dead at the hospital, with the cause of death determined to be manual strangulation. During the investigation, Richardson reportedly referred to the infant as a "little fcking btch."
The Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office became aware of Richardson's release only after he was spotted publicly. Prosecutor Diana Moers confirmed on March 26 that her office received no advance notice from the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC) regarding the release. Moers has publicly supported House Bill 1250, a pending legislative measure that would mandate the IDOC to alert local prosecutors before serious violent felons are released from custody.
Richardson's early exit from prison may be linked to a legal battle he pursued while incarcerated, which culminated in a federal court order concerning gender affirmation surgery. In the fall of 2024, U.S. District Judge Richard Young of the Southern District of Indiana ruled in Richardson's favor, determining that the state's refusal to provide him with a sex-change operation constituted "cruel and unusual punishment." Judge Young ordered the IDOC to proceed with the procedure without delay. Richardson's initial request for surgeries included breast implants, a brow lift and reduction, a uterus transplant, gluteal implants, and hair removal. He ultimately underwent penile inversion surgery and an orchiectomy, which is the removal of the testicles. Taxpayers were reportedly responsible for the costs associated with these procedures.
Separately, in 2024, Richardson also filed a lawsuit against the state, alleging that his religious rights as a Muslim were violated because he was not permitted to wear a hijab while incarcerated.
During the court proceedings related to Richardson’s request for gender affirmation surgery, the mother of the murdered child submitted a written statement expressing her opposition and fears. She articulated concerns about Richardson's potential to conceal his identity upon release, stating, "On the day he murdered my child, I personally observed Plaintiff with a fresh bleeding tattoo of my child’s name on his arm while I was at the hospital that evening. I live in fear for myself and my children of the day [Richardson] is released from prison, which largely increases at the thought that [his] identity may be concealed upon release." Her warnings regarding identity concealment were not acted upon.
Following his release, Richardson established a presence across several social media platforms and began posting explicit content through the subscription site OnlyFans. Authorities have stated they do not know Richardson's exact current residence within Vanderburgh County. A source cited by the outlet Reduxx, which first reported the story of his release, indicated that Richardson has been staying at a women’s shelter.
Public information shared by Richardson on social media also indicates a relationship with another trans-identified male, Cory Wallace, who was also convicted of killing an infant. Wallace was sentenced to 72 years in 2016 for setting fire to his home to obscure the fact that he had beaten his four-month-old son to death. The convergence of Richardson's early release, the lack of official notification, and his subsequent public activities has intensified community discussion regarding the balance between prisoner rights, victim advocacy, and public safety. The ongoing situation continues to draw attention to judicial processes and correctional policies in Indiana.
