Questions arise following death of 10-year-old Indiana boy in foster care

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. — A death investigation is underway following the death of a 10-year-old boy in Porter County, Indiana.

Relatives of the boy have contacted WGN News, desperate for answers. They say they’re hearing concerning stories over how the child passed away and are only seeking the truth about what happened.

According to his maternal aunt, 10-year-old Dakota Levi Stevens was a creative child, fascinated by trains, cars and the outdoors.

“He was wonderful. Wonderful doesn’t even cover it,” the aunt said. “He loved to bug hunt, and he would tell all the bugs when he caught them, ‘Don’t worry, I’m your Uncle Levi. I’m going to take care of you.'”

Photographs are all the aunt has left of Dakota. At this time, she wishes to conceal her identity, but she does want to shine a spotlight on her nephew’s death while he was under foster care.

“We have not heard anything from police,” the aunt said.

The last time she saw Dakota was in 2019. She says Dakota’s mother was unable to care for him, and his father passed away in 2021.

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According to the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, last Thursday, deputies were called out to the 200 block of Falcon Way for a medical emergency. A 10-year-old juvenile was taken by ambulance to a hospital., where he passed away.

According to the Medical Examiner, no autopsy results are available and could take up to 60 days.

“It’s beyond heartbreaking,” Dakota’s aunt says.

In a statement to WGN, Indiana’s Department of Child Services says, “Our entire staff is heartbroken by this news. DCS works with stakeholders and partners across the state to investigate the death of a child any time there is suspected abuse or neglect and will take the appropriate action.

“DCS foster parents must complete intensive training and education to achieve licensure. Licensure is reexamined each year to ensure the foster family continues to meet DCS requirements, including additional training each year to maintain this license. DCS policy also addresses termination of licensure, which includes circumstances where a foster parent or member of the household has been substantiated for abuse or neglect.”

The family’s next step is to hire an attorney, and they tell WGN they’ve already made several calls.

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