“Big Question!” Authorities Probe How Death Of 10-Year-Old In Northwest Indiana
PORTER COUNTY, Indiana – A 10-year-old kid died in Porter County, Indiana, and an inquiry into his death is currently underway.
The boy’s family confirmed to WGN News that he was in foster care when he passed away, and they expressed their extreme frustration at the lack of response from the authorities.
Ten-year-old Dakota Levi Stevens was an artistic boy who loved the outdoors, vehicles, and trains, according to his maternal aunt.
The unnamed relative said, “He was wonderful, wonderful doesn’t even cover it.” “He used to enjoy going on bug hunts and telling all the bugs, ‘Don’t worry, I’m your Uncle Levi; I’m going to take care of you,'” once he caught them.
The boy’s aunt claims that she didn’t see Dakota until 2019. Now, the only things she has left are pictures of him.
The boy’s aunt stated, “The only thing I’ve heard from DCFS regarding any of this is that I was officially invited to attend a service by him today.”
After Dakota’s mother was unable to provide for him, the youngster was placed in foster care. The year 2021 saw the death of Dakota’s father. Dakota’s aunt said that he had been in foster care for a number of years, and that child services had turned down repeated requests from family members to see him.
“I hope that everyone involved or at fault will be held accountable,” she stated. “In the end, a youngster passed away. a state-custodial child living in the household of a reliable foster parent.”
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The family continues by saying they intend to retain legal counsel.
Regarding the inquiry into Dakota’s death, WGN contacted the Department of Child Services in Indiana. In reply, DCS stated:
This news breaks the hearts of our whole workforce. When there is a suspicion of abuse or neglect, DCS investigates the death of the child and takes the necessary action in collaboration with partners and stakeholders around the state.
In order to obtain a license, DCS foster parents must finish rigorous training and coursework. Every year, the license is reviewed to make sure the foster family is still complying with DCS criteria.
To keep this license active, the foster family must complete additional training each year. DCS policy also covers license termination in situations when abuse or neglect of a foster parent or household member has been proven.
“It’s truly incredible that a child who was meant to be in the state’s care was treated so terribly,” the woman remarked. We were informed that we wouldn’t be a suitable fit for him. It’s quite upsetting that he didn’t think living with us was in his best interests and that anything like this occurred.
The Porter County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Thursday, deputies were dispatched to the 200 block of Falcon Way in response to a medical emergency. After being transported to a hospital by ambulance, a 10-year-old boy was eventually declared deceased.
Since then, no updates have been provided.
The boy’s aunt told WGN News, “We haven’t heard anything from the police.”
Family members claim that word of mouth informed them about Dakota’s passing a few days later. The family claims that only after making multiple calls to Indiana’s Department of Child Services were close relatives notified of Dakota’s memorial service.