Valparaiso, Indiana – Jennifer Lee Wilson, foster mother from Indiana is accused of sitting on her 10-year-old foster son, resulting in his tragic death. The incident took place on April 25 in Valparaiso, when the young boy sought help from a neighbor, reporting ongoing abuse.
The Porter County Sheriff’s Office received a distress call from the residence on Falcon Way, stating that a child was unresponsive. Emergency responders found 10-year-old Dakota Stevens lying on the ground near the driveway. Despite their efforts to revive him, the boy remained unresponsive and tragically passed away two days later.
An autopsy revealed that Dakota’s death was a homicide caused by severe brain swelling and prolonged oxygen deprivation. The examination further showed organ damage, as well as hemorrhaging in the liver and lungs. Tragically, the young boy had displayed visible bruising on his neck and chest.
According to Wilson, Dakota had been misbehaving and left the house after refusing to do his chores. She claimed to have found him a few blocks away and attempted to bring him back home. Wilson admitted that she does not recall whether she tackled Dakota or if they both fell to the ground. Nevertheless, her intention was to restrain him.
Police investigators reviewed footage captured by a Ring doorbell camera, which showed Wilson sitting on top of the motionless child for approximately seven minutes. The earlier moments displayed Dakota struggling to free himself while Wilson held him down. Wilson’s weight, measuring 340 pounds, likely contributed to the tragic outcome.
Local authorities are actively pursuing Wilson’s arrest to hold her accountable for the alleged crime committed against her foster son.