Authorities are investigating the death last week of a 10-year-old boy living in foster care in northwest Indiana, officials said.
Police say Porter County Sheriff’s officers and paramedics were dispatched shortly after 2:35 p.m. on April 25 to a residence in the 200 block of Falcon Way for a reported medical emergency.
Authorities said upon arrival, EMS transported the boy to a local hospital for treatment, where he was later pronounced dead. The boy was identified as Dakota Stevens.
A statement from the Indiana Department of Child Services confirmed the agency was investigating.
“Our entire staff is heartbroken by this news. DCS works with stakeholders and partners across the state to investigate the death of a child whenever there is suspicion of abuse or of neglect and will take appropriate action DCS foster parents must undergo extensive training and education to obtain licensure. Licensure is reviewed annually to ensure the foster family continues to meet DCS requirements. , including additional training each year to maintain this license DCS policy also addresses license termination, which includes circumstances in which a foster parent or household member has been proven abusive or neglectful. – we read in part in the press release.
Hayden Hetzel, the boy’s former adoptive father, remembered Dakota’s legacy in an emotional Facebook post.
“Thank you for the laughs, the screams, the sleepless nights, the endless memories… your enthusiasm and passion for everything you have done and your spirit has AMAZED me too,” the post read in part Hetzel’s Facebook.
Hetzel said Dakota dreamed of becoming a firefighter or police officer, loved listening to Katy Perry and loved chicken nuggets and pizza.
It is currently unclear whether the boy suffered from health problems or whether foul play was suspected. There is currently no further information available.
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