An Elkhart man convicted of beating his stepson to death was back in court to appeal his 100-year sentence to the Elkhart County Circuit Court.

Christian Maradiaga, 20, was sentenced for the death of his 4-year-old stepson, Romeo Duran.

He claimed the boy fell in the shower and hit his head, later dying of his injuries at the hospital June 9, 2021, but medical examiners and witnesses said that’s not what happened.

For the murder charge, Maradiaga was sentenced to 65 years.

For a neglect charge, he was sentenced to another 35, but his legal team is now arguing the neglect charge is double-jeopardy to the murder charge.

With no indication on how the judge will decide, a re-sentencing hearing is now set for Sep. 20.