How Could You? Hall of Shame-Dakota Stevens case-Child Death UPDATED

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Porter County, Indiana, Dakota Stevens died in foster care.

” A death investigation is underway following the death of a 10-year-old boy in Porter County, Indiana.

Relatives of the boy have contacted WGN News, desperate for answers. They say they’re hearing concerning stories over how the child passed away and are only seeking the truth about what happened.”

“According to the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, last Thursday, deputies were called out to the 200 block of Falcon Way for a medical emergency. A 10-year-old juvenile was taken by ambulance to a hospital., where he passed away.

According to the Medical Examiner, no autopsy results are available and could take up to 60 days.”

Questions arise following death of 10-year-old Indiana boy in foster care
[WGN tv 5/2/24 by Angela Sanchez]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:“WGN-TV reports Stevens’ death has since been ruled homicide by mechanical asphyxia. No one has been arrested in connection with the boy’s death.

According to WGN, Stevens had been in foster care for several years because his parents suffered from drug addiction. His father ultimately died from a blood infection related to his drug use. The boy’s aunt had custody of him and his sister for about a year, and she said he “brought a lot of joy” to others.

The Indiana Department of Child Services reportedly removed Stevens and his sister from their aunt’s custody and returned them to state custody. His sister got adopted, and Stevens was placed with other foster families.

The Department of Child Services told the Indianapolis Star in a statement, “Our entire staff is heartbroken by this news. DCS works with stakeholders and partners across the state to investigate the death of a child any time there is suspected abuse or neglect and will take the appropriate action.””

Death of 10-year-old Indiana boy in foster care ruled a homicide
[Tru Crime News 6/21/24]

Update 2:“Jennifer Wilson, 48, of Valparaiso was arrested the following day in Berrien County, Michigan, just north of the Indiana border, authorities said. Reckless homicide, a level 5 felony, is punishable by up to six years in prison.

Dakota was rushed to the hospital on April 25 after an argument with Wilson, who the Department of Child Services placed with Wilson about a month earlier. Wilson told police that Dakota ran away earlier that day, and she brought the boy home after finding him at a neighbor’s house. After they got home, Dakota was “acting up” and threw himself to the ground outside Wilson’s house, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Wilson said she was lying on the boy’s body to keep him under control while she called his caseworker. Dakota screamed and eventually stopped moving. At first, Wilson told police, she thought the boy was faking, but when she rolled him over his eyelids were pale. Wilson told investigators she was on top of the boy for about five minutes.

Dakota weighed 91 pounds. Wilson weighed 340 pounds.

The death of Dakota Levi Stevens:Police investigating death of boy placed in foster care by Department of Child Services

Wilson looked “visibly distraught” when police arrived at her house in the 200 block of Falcon Way in Valparaiso, according to the affidavit. The boy, who had spent the last five years of his life moving through different foster homes, was not breathing and had no pulse.”

“A 20-second clip from Ring video cameras showed Wilson lying across Dakota’s neck and head area as the boy screamed, the affidavit says. Another 20-second video shows Dakota still screaming while Wilson was on top of him, her right arm and elbow planted on the ground.

A third video shows Wilson still on top of Dakota near his buttocks area, the affidavit says. The boy, whose arms were above his head, was no longer moving. A fourth video shows the two still in the same position, with Dakota still not moving.”

“Wilson had three other children in her house; all were adopted. Brian Heinemann, a spokesman for DCS, said last month that Wilson’s license is on hold pending revocation, and no other children are currently in her home.”

‘I was laying on him’: Foster parent charged with reckless homicide in death of 10-year-old boy
[Indy Star 7/12/24 by Kristine Phillips]