A 340-pound Indiana woman, Jennifer Lee Wilson, 48, has been charged with reckless homicide following the death of her 10-year-old foster son, Dakota Levi Stevens. The boy allegedly suffocated after Wilson sat on him for several minutes, according to police reports.
Details of the tragic event
In April, Dakota tried to escape to a neighbor’s house. Wilson, attempting to prevent him from “acting up,” sat on the 90-pound boy outside her home. Despite his screams, the obese parent continued to sit on him, eventually calling his caseworker. A doorbell camera captured the incident, showing Wilson on top of Dakota even after he stopped moving.
Wilson reportedly asked if Dakota was faking, but noticed his pale eyelids, indicating severe distress. When authorities arrived, Dakota was unresponsive and without a pulse. Wilson appeared “visibly distraught” as emergency responders attempted to revive the boy.
A neighbor recounted Dakota’s plea for adoption, claiming his parents hit him, although no visible injuries were noted.
Legal and medical outcomes
Dakota was airlifted to a hospital in South Bend, where he was pronounced dead two days later. The local coroner’s office ruled his death a homicide caused by mechanical asphyxia. Wilson, who was arrested on Saturday, faces up to six years in prison if convicted. Her foster care license has been revoked, and she is no longer caring for children.
