A transgender individual convicted of infanticide has been released from incarceration three decades ahead of schedule, following attempts to compel authorities to fund gender-affirming procedures with public money.
Autumn Cordellione, formerly known as Jonathan Richardson, was found guilty in 2002 for the strangulation murder of his 11-month-old stepdaughter, a crime that sent shockwaves across the nation.
The chilling case remains etched in public memory, especially after Richardson’s cold reference to the infant as “the little f***ing b***h” when speaking to a prison officer.
Despite the heinous nature of the crime, Richardson, heavily tattooed, was released quietly in December 2025 after serving less than half of a 55-year sentence, with the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC) failing to inform local authorities.
The Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office expressed surprise, stating they only became aware of the release when a member of the public reported spotting Richardson.
The IDOC has yet to issue a statement clarifying the reasoning behind Richardson’s early parole for such a serious offense.
However, it comes after Richardson tried for years to have the state of Indiana pay for his transgender surgeries, including demanding breast implants and a ‘penile inversion’ operation.
In September 2024, a court issued a preliminary injunction requiring the IDOC to provide the surgeries to Richardson, finding that denying the inmate constituted cruel and unusual punishment.
While prison officials have not yet commented on Richardson’s release, the injunction led to speculation that the IDOC released the prisoner to avoid having to pay out for the expensive surgeries.
Transgender convicted baby killer Jonathan Richardson, who now uses the name Autumn Cordellione, was released from prison 30 years early after attempting to force authorities to use taxpayer money for gender-affirming surgeries
The killer was sentenced to 55 years in prison in 2002 for strangling his 11-month-old stepdaughter to death, but was released in December after serving less than half his sentence. He has since shared a number of images (pictured) gloating about his freedom
The Daily Mail has contacted the IDOC for comment on Richardson’s release and allegations that it did not notify local authorities when freeing the child killer.
The inmate’s lawsuit backed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) made headlines in 2023 when he claimed he was subjected to unconstitutional ‘cruel and unusual punishment’ because the IDOC refused to use taxpayer funds to pay for his transgender surgeries.
The lawsuit included a list of demanded operations that Richardson described in a document as ‘surgeries to reach my ideal self’, including requesting a ‘vagina’, reports Reduxx.com.
Richardson also demanded breast implants, a brow lift, a brow reduction, a tummy tuck, gluteal implants (BBL), a uterus transplant, hair removal, and wigs.
Court records showed that Richardson later amended his demands to two surgeries – a ‘penile inversion’ operation and an orchiectomy to remove his testicles.
While in prison, Richardson captured headlines by filing several outlandish lawsuits that were promptly dismissed in court.
In April 2025, he sued President Trump, alleging his ‘transphobic and extremist rhetoric’ emboldened her fellow prisoners to assault her. The lawsuit was dismissed by a judge.
Richardson also launched a separate lawsuit in February 2024, suing a prison chaplain for banning him from wearing a prison hijab.
Richardson said at the time he identified as a ‘Muslim woman’, and sought $150,000 claiming the prison violated his right to be an ‘Islamic practicing trans woman.’ The lawsuit was also later dismissed.
While in prison, Richardson captured headlines by filing several outlandish lawsuits that were promptly dismissed in court
In a TikTok account run by the child killer, Richardson has shared glimpses of his life since being freed, including claiming to be in a polyamorous relationship with two other women
In a TikTok account run by the child killer, Richardson has shared glimpses of his life since being freed
Since his release, Reduxx reported that a source said Richardson had moved into a women’s shelter in Vanderburgh County, Indiana.
In a TikTok account run by the child killer, Richardson has shared glimpses of his life since being freed, including claiming to be in a polyamorous relationship with two other women.
In images that appear to be altered with artificial intelligence, Richardson showed himself partying with the two women in nightclubs and in bed together.
In another post last month after the prosecutor’s office shared its statement about Richardson being released into the community, the convict said he was being targeted by upset members of the public.
He wrote in the caption that he had been receiving numerous phone calls from people ‘who are threatening my life’, telling him that ‘taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for my surgery.’
When Richardson was arrested in September 2001, prosecutors said he strangled his 11-month-old stepdaughter to death while the victim’s mother was at work for the day.
The killer initially told police that he found the victim in a crib and she had vomit coming from her mouth. Richardson later admitted she was fussy and he had tried to calm her down.
It was determined the little girl died from manual strangulation.
While the killer was behind bars, Richardson told a correctional officer, ‘well all I know is I killed the little f**king b*tch.’
In 2002, Richardson was sentenced to 55 years in prison.
The Daily Mail has contacted Richardson for comment.
