Dakota (right) was taken to a hospital, where he died two days later. (Image: undefined)
A foster mum has been jailed for killing her 10 -year-old foster son by sitting on him after he pleaded with a neighbour to call police to report abuse. Michael Bergerson ordered Jennifer Lee Wilson, 49, to serve the maximum in a state correctional facility for her role in the tragic death of young Dakota Stevens, as reported by
Wilson, from Indiana, had formally admitted to one count of reckless back in October. On the afternoon of 25 April 2024, to a call about an unresponsive 10 year old. Upon arrival, first responders found Dakota lying near the driveway of the home while someone was performing on him. The boy was “not conscious, not breathing, and had no pulse,” according to deputies.
They also noted visible bruising on Dakota’s lower neck and chest. Dakota was rushed to where he died two days later. An autopsy revealed his death was a homicide, caused by severe brain swelling and being “deprived of oxygen for an extended period of time,” reports
He also suffered organ damage and haemorrhaging of the liver and lungs. Wilson, who was at the scene, appeared “visibly distraught” to deputies. She told them that Dakota had been misbehaving all day, refusing to do his chores and leaving the house, as per a probable cause affidavit.
Ring doorbell camera footage revealed that Wilson “laid on (Dakota’s) midsection” near his head and neck area (Image: Youtube)
Wilson was found conversing with another woman a few blocks away, who informed her that Dakota had asked her to call the police. Wilson told the woman to “mind her own business” and forcibly took Dakota back home in her car after a struggle.
According to court documents: “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.” However, Ring doorbell camera footage revealed that Wilson “laid on (Dakota’s) midsection” near his head and neck area. Dakota initially resisted but eventually became motionless under her weight.
Dakota stood at 4 foot 10 inches tall and weighed only 90 pounds, while Wilson was 4 foot 11 inches and weighed 340 pounds. A probable cause affidavit stated: “Wilson stated that she laid on his midsection and called his caseworker,” and “Wilson stated that he eventually stopped moving and she thought he was faking. She advised that she laid on him for approximately five minutes.”
When Wilson realised that Dakota had lost consciousness, police said, she can be heard screaming his name before exclaiming, “I was laying on him and he was acting bad.”