10-year-old boy died after his overweight adoptive mother sat on him for about ten minutes until he stopped breathing just because he refused to do his chores; mother pleads guilty
Indiana – In a disturbing incident in Indiana, a 49-year-old mother, identified as J. Wilson, has admitted to her role in the death of her 10-year-old adopted son, D. Stevens, after a horrific episode that involved physical restraint. Wilson pleaded guilty to reckless homicide after the tragic incident involving young Stevens, who suffered fatal injuries after she sat on him for nearly 10 minutes.
The chilling events unfolded on the afternoon of April 25, when deputies from the sheriff’s office were alerted to a dire situation at a residence. Responding officers discovered the young boy unresponsive near the driveway of his home, with a neighbor frantically attempting CPR. Despite these efforts, Stevens was not breathing, had no pulse, and exhibited visible bruising on his lower neck and chest.
Stevens was rushed to the hospital, but sadly, he succumbed to his injuries two days later. The autopsy report revealed a heartbreaking conclusion: Stevens died from severe swelling in the brain, which is consistent with being deprived of oxygen for an extended period of time, compounded by damage to his internal organs. The manner of death was ruled to be homicide. According to reports, the day of the incident was fraught with tension and disobedience, with Stevens reportedly refusing to complete chores and attempting to leave the house. Wilson told authorities she had retrieved Stevens after he complained to a neighbor that he was being abused and pleaded with them to call the police.
The situation escalated upon their return home. Wilson said she might have tackled Stevens, or they both fell to the ground as she attempted to prevent him from running away again. But, surveillance footage from a nearby home tells a disturbing story, showing Wilson sitting on Stevens’s midsection, near his head and neck, for over seven minutes. Initially, Stevens struggled to get free and then suddenly stopped moving. Wilson also told authorities that she got off the boy because she ran out of breath due to her weight and noticed that her son was not moving. At first, she thought Stevens was “faking,” but then noticed he was pale and called 911. According to reports, Wilson was 4’10” tall and weighed 340 pounds.
An arrest warrant was issued for Wilson’s arrest, as she was wanted on charges of reckless homicide. Authorities were actively searching for Wilson, and she was eventually arrested in another state. In court, Wilson entered a plea of guilty to reckless homicide, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a fine of $10,000.
The case has prompted a significant outcry from the community and beyond, with many questioning the oversight of foster care systems and the mechanisms in place to protect vulnerable children like Stevens. Wilson awaits her sentencing scheduled for January 17, 2025. The case serves as a grim reminder of the critical need for effective interventions and supports in foster care and child welfare systems to prevent such tragedies in the future.
