This petition is both profoundly personal and a cry for justice. Dakota Levi Stevens, a child of a system designed more for bureaucracy than for the protection of children, tragically lost his life. Dakota suffered the unimaginable when Jennifer Lee Wilson, significantly larger in weight, laid her body across him for over seven minutes in her front lawn. During Dakota's murder, Jennifer was on a FaceTime call with Dakota's case worker and spoke with her spouse through the Ring camera. The allegation is that there is no conceivable way Wilson did not realize her actions would lead to Dakota’s asphyxiation. Despite this, Wilson currently only faces charges for reckless homicide that only carries a maximum sentence of SIX (6) years.

This is where the harsh realities of our justice system come to play. To see it categorized as reckless homicide, it suppressed Dakota's voice, his struggle, and his reality. It seems the system, yet again, failed to protect Dakota. We believe that Wilson's charges should be elevated from reckless homicide to manslaughter or even murder, for her actions were far from 'reckless' - they were lethal, and appeared intentional.

This campaign is personal because Dakota needs justice and his voice needs to be heard one last time. By signing this petition, we can help spark the change Dakota was not fortunate enough to witness during his short life. We owe it to Dakota. Stand with us to make a difference.

Please sign this petition to demand an upgrade of Jennifer Lee Wilson's charges in the name of justice for Dakota Levi Stevens.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/dakota-levi-stephens-charges-filed-jennifer-wilson-northwest-indiana/3488021/