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Jennifer Wilson, an Indiana foster mother, has been charged after allegedly laying on and smothering her 10-year-old foster child, Dakota Levi Stevens.
According to IndyStar, 48-year-old Jennifer Wilson has been charged with reckless homicide. Wilson was reportedly arrested on Saturday, July 13.
Furthermore, the outlet notes that “reckless homicide” is a felony “punishable by up to six years in prison.”
The outlet reports that 10-year-old Dakota Levi Stevens was placed with Wilson sometime in March. On April 25, Stevens allegedly ran away from Wilson’s home. Ultimately, Wilson allegedly found the boy at a neighbor’s house and brought him back to her residence.
Wilson reportedly explained that after the incident, Stevens began “acting up.” In turn, she decided to lay on his body while allegedly calling his caseworker. Additionally, IndyStar notes that Wilson — who allegedly weighs 340 pounds — was on top of the 10-year-old “for about five minutes.”
According to Wilson, Stevens screamed but eventually stopped moving. She allegedly believed he “was faking.” However, she later rolled him over and saw “his eyelids were pale.”
“I was laying on him and he was acting bad,” Wilson reportedly told a 911 dispatcher.
Police later arrived at her home to find the foster mother “distraught” and the 10-year-old without a pulse.
Furthermore, IndyStar notes that Stevens passed away on April 27 after being taken off life support.
According to the outlet, additional children who Wilson adopted were present in her home during the ordeal. The outlet notes that her foster license is now “on hold pending revocation.”
To note, NBC Chicago has reported that Stevens was one of three children adopted by Wilson. However, a recent report published by PEOPLE and FOX 8 lists Wilson as Steven’s foster mom.
