Tue Jan 21 01:24:33 UTC 2025: ## Indiana Woman Sentenced to Prison for Killing Foster Child by Sitting on Him
**Valparaiso, IN** – Jennifer Lee Wilson, 48, of Valparaiso, Indiana, has been sentenced to six years in prison for the reckless homicide of her 10-year-old foster child, Dakota Levi Stevens. Wilson, who weighs over 154 kg (340 lbs), pleaded guilty in October to sitting on the child for approximately five minutes, resulting in his death.
According to court documents, the incident occurred last April when Stevens was reportedly acting up. Wilson told police she sat on Stevens’ midsection after he fell to the ground. She reported that he stopped moving and she believed he was simply lying down. Responding officers found Stevens unresponsive and without a pulse, noting bruising on his lower neck and chest.
Stevens, who was 4 feet 10 inches tall and weighed 40 kg (88 lbs), was transported to a South Bend hospital but died two days later. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be mechanical asphyxia, ruled a homicide.
The sentencing, handed down by Senior Judge Michael Bergerson, includes five years in a state correctional facility, with the final year suspended and served on probation.
The case highlights the tragic circumstances surrounding Stevens’ death. A neighbor reported that Stevens had sought refuge at her home just 30 minutes prior to the incident, claiming he had been struck in the face and prevented from contacting his caseworker by his foster parents. This detail raises further questions about the level of care Stevens received prior to his death. The case underscores the need for enhanced oversight and protection for vulnerable children in foster care.
First Piper 