A devastating incident in Indiana has left a community reeling after the death of 10-year-old Dakota Levi Stevens, who was in the care of his foster mother, Jennifer Lee Wilson. Court documents reveal a harrowing sequence of events that led to Dakota’s tragic passing.
On April 25, Wilson, who weighs 340 pounds, was captured on a Ring doorbell camera using her body weight to restrain Dakota, who weighed just 90 pounds. The incident occurred outside Wilson’s home, where she sat on the child for over five minutes, causing mechanical asphyxia, which was later ruled a homicide.
Dakota’s cries for help were ignored, and he fell silent. Wilson only sought medical attention when she noticed his eyelids had turned pale. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, Dakota was pronounced dead two days later.
The investigation has uncovered a heartbreaking detail: just minutes before the incident, Dakota had approached a neighbor, pleading to be adopted, citing fear of his biological parents’ abuse.
Wilson’s actions have sparked outrage, and she now faces charges of reckless homicide, which could lead to up to six years in prison if convicted. Her foster care license has been revoked, and she is no longer permitted to care for children.
As the community grapples with this tragedy, Dakota’s loved ones remember him as a resilient child who made the best of every situation. His former foster father, Hayden Hetzel, described him as a child who sometimes struggled to control his emotions but was taught safe physical calming techniques.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for accountability and proper training in foster care systems to prevent such tragedies from occurring. Our thoughts are with Dakota’s loved ones during this difficult time.
