Indiana Woman Sentenced to Six Years for Fatal Sitting Incident Involving Foster Son
Jennifer Lee Wilson, a 48-year-old woman from Valparaiso, Indiana, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to reckless homicide for the death of her 10-year-old foster son, Dakota Levi Stevens. The incident occurred in April 2024, when Wilson, who weighs over 154 kg, sat on Stevens for approximately five minutes while trying to restrain him during a disciplinary episode.
Court documents reveal that Wilson called her son’s caseworker during the incident, believing Stevens was merely lying down. However, when authorities arrived, they found him unresponsive and without a pulse. Investigators noted bruising on Stevens' neck and chest, leading to an autopsy that concluded he died from mechanical asphyxia.
Despite receiving the maximum sentence, the judge suspended the last year of Wilson's term, allowing her to serve it on probation. This tragic case has raised concerns about foster care practices and child safety in Indiana.
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