A 49-year-old woman from Indiana is confronting a lengthy prison sentence after confessing to her involvement in the death of her 10-year-old foster son. She reportedly sat on the boy’s midsection for several minutes following his plea to a neighbor to call 911 due to ongoing abuse.
On Tuesday, Jennifer Lee Wilson entered a guilty plea for one count of reckless homicide related to the tragic death of young Dakota Stevens. In Indiana, a person found guilty of reckless homicide could be sentenced to as much as six years in a state correctional facility and may also incur a maximum fine of $10,000.
On April 25, 2024, at approximately 3:37 p.m., deputies from the Porter County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of Falcon Way in Valparaiso, Indiana, following a report of an unresponsive 10-year-old. This location is situated around 150 miles northwest of Indianapolis.
Upon arrival, emergency personnel discovered the boy — later recognized as Dakota — positioned on the ground adjacent to the home’s driveway. A person was administering CPR to the boy, who authorities reported was “unresponsive, not breathing, and lacked a pulse.” Emergency personnel observed that the individual displayed noticeable bruising on his lower neck and chest.
Deputies administered CPR until emergency medical personnel arrived and transported Dakota to a hospital, where he passed away two days later. An autopsy revealed that the manner of death was classified as a homicide, with the cause being significant brain swelling and prolonged oxygen deprivation. He experienced damage to his organs along with bleeding in the liver and lungs.
Upon arrival, officers engaged with Wilson, who appeared to be in a state of significant distress.
Wilson stated that Dakota had been misbehaving throughout the day and, at one moment, declined to complete his chores and exited the house, as detailed in a probable cause affidavit. Wilson reported that she discovered him conversing with another woman just a few blocks away. The woman informed Wilson that Dakota had recently asked her to contact the authorities.
According to the affidavit, Wilson instructed the other woman to “mind her own business” before successfully getting Dakota back into the car and driving home. After a brief standoff in the vehicle, Dakota eventually emerged, shouting his intention to depart.
Authorities reported that video captured by a Ring doorbell camera revealed Wilson positioned “on (Dakota’s) midsection” close to his head and neck. Initially, the footage depicted the boy struggling and attempting to escape, but authorities reported that two clips lasting approximately seven minutes reveal Wilson perched on a still Dakota.
Upon discovering that Dakota had lost consciousness, Wilson is heard screaming his name, followed by the statement, “I was laying on him and he was acting bad.”
Officials reported that Dakota stood at 4 feet 10 inches and weighed just 90 pounds, whereas Wilson measured 4 feet 11 inches and weighed 340 pounds.
Wilson is set to attend her sentencing hearing on January 17, 2025.