A Mother Jailed For Killing Son As Tragic Death Raises Alarms Over Child Protection Failures and Systemic Negligence
INDIANA, U.S.A– A 48-year-old woman in Indiana, Jennifer Lee Wilson, has been sentenced to six years in prison for killing her 10-year-old foster son, Dakota Levi Stevens, by sitting on him. Wilson, who weighs 154 kg, admitted to sitting on the boy for five minutes after he “acted up.”
Senior Judge Michael Bergerson imposed the maximum sentence, with the final year suspended, allowing Wilson to serve it on probation.
Incident and Arrest
According to court documents, Wilson told police that Stevens had thrown himself to the ground in her home in Valparaiso, Porter County. She claimed she “laid on his midsection and called his caseworker” but thought he was pretending when he stopped moving.
“Wilson stated that when she attempted to stop him from leaving, she does not know if she tackled Dakota or they fell to the ground; however, her intention was to hold him,”
the court filing revealed.
When officers arrived, they found Stevens unresponsive with no pulse and visible bruising on his lower neck and chest. He was rushed to a hospital in South Bend but succumbed to his injuries two days later. Doctors ruled his death a homicide caused by mechanical asphyxia.
Disturbing Details Emerge
The autopsy report highlighted a stark size difference—Stevens, who was 4’10” and weighed just 40 kg, was crushed under Wilson’s 154 kg weight.
A neighbour disclosed that, shortly before the fatal incident, Stevens had run to her house pleading for adoption. Documents also revealed that he was allegedly struck in the face and prevented from calling his caseworker by his foster parents.
With the sentencing now concluded, the case has sparked outrage over foster care safety and the need for stricter child protection measures.
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