An Indiana foster mother, 48-year-old Jennifer Lee Wilson, is currently wanted by law enforcement for her alleged involvement in the death of her 10-year-old adopted son, Dakota Stevens. Wilson is facing charges of reckless homicide, not involving a motor vehicle, in connection with the boy’s death.
The Porter County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies were dispatched to a residence in Valparaiso, Indiana, approximately 150 miles northwest of Indianapolis, on April 25. The call was regarding an unresponsive 10-year-old boy. Upon arrival, first responders found Dakota lying near the driveway of the home, receiving CPR from a bystander. The boy was unconscious, not breathing, and without a pulse. Visible bruising was noted on his lower neck and chest.
Emergency medical personnel took over CPR and transported Dakota to a hospital. Despite their efforts, the boy succumbed to his injuries two days later. An autopsy revealed that Dakota’s death was a homicide, caused by severe brain swelling and prolonged oxygen deprivation. The autopsy also found organ damage and hemorrhaging in the liver and lungs.
At the scene, officers interacted with Wilson, who appeared visibly upset. According to a report from a Chicago NBC affiliate, Wilson claimed that Dakota had been misbehaving throughout the day. He had reportedly refused to do his chores and left the house. Wilson found him conversing with a woman a few blocks away, who informed Wilson that Dakota had asked her to call the police.
The affidavit states that Wilson told the woman to “mind her own business” and managed to get Dakota back in the car to return home. Once home, Dakota allegedly got out of the car and declared that he was leaving. Wilson claimed that she tried to prevent him from leaving, but it’s unclear whether she tackled him or they both fell to the ground. Her intention, she said, was to restrain him.
Footage from a Ring doorbell camera reportedly showed Wilson lying on Dakota’s midsection, near his head and neck. Initially, the boy was seen struggling to free himself. However, two clips, each running for about seven minutes, showed Wilson sitting on a motionless Dakota. Upon realizing that Dakota had lost consciousness, Wilson can be heard on the footage calling out his name and stating, “I was laying on him and he was acting bad.”
Dakota was 4 foot 10 inches tall and weighed 90 pounds, while Wilson is 4 foot 11 inches tall and weighed 340 pounds. As of Saturday morning, Wilson was not in custody, according to jail records.