‘He was always loved’: Former foster parent seeks answers following death of 10-year-old Indiana boy

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. — Dakota Levi Stevens was like most kids.

The 10-year-old enjoyed playing with blocks to fuel his imagination and busting dance moves to burn some energy off. But he mostly loved being outdoors, says Hayden Hetzel, the boy’s foster dad from 2019-2021.

“Dakota was very adventurous,” he said. “He always loved being outside, looking for bugs in the backyard.”

Hetzel told WGN News that he was lucky to have shared great years with Dakota.

“He never didn’t call me dad,” he said. “He was always like, ‘Dad this, Dad that. Let’s go on a walk.'”

A week has passed since Dakota’s death. Hetzel said he still has no answers on how the boy died.

According to the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the 200 block of Falcon Way in Valparaiso for a medical emergency involving Dakota. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment but was later pronounced dead.

Indiana’s Department of Child Services said it will help investigate and take action if abuse or neglect is found. But Hetzel says he believes the system that now wants to defend Dakota failed him. Changes be implemented, he added.

In Dakota’s short life, the boy moved from one foster home to another. Hetzel said he went as far as tattooing Dakota’s initials on his ankle, but attempts to adopt him were unsuccessful.

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“He was always loved, and not for a second did we not want him,” Hetzel said. “We wanted him to be safe, healthy, and loved.”

Despite not being able to adopt Dakota, Hetzel said he still sees the boy as one of his own. Now, he is striving to make sure Dakota’s death isn’t in vain.

Autopsy results are still pending. Funeral services are set for Monday. A vigil is also planned later that day at 8 p.m.

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