Suffer the Little Children, Episode 194 – Dakota Levi Stevens (Part 2)
Podcast Date: April 30, 2025
Host: Lane
Guests: Melissa Mailer (Levi’s maternal grandmother), Anna Parrish (Levi’s aunt), Alex Parrish (Levi’s uncle)
Episode Overview
This episode is the emotional second part of Dakota Levi Stevens’ story, focusing on the fight his maternal family endured to keep him safe, their shock and sorrow at his death in foster care at the hands of trusted family friend Jennifer Wilson, and their ongoing efforts to seek justice and create positive change for children in the system. The conversation with Levi’s grandmother, aunt, and uncle offers a personal, heart-wrenching account of Levi’s life, the systemic failures they witnessed, and the lasting impact on their family.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. How DCS Became Involved ([03:59])
- Drug use and immediate intervention: Levi’s mother struggled with addiction, and Melissa took action as soon as she learned about it, placing Levi and his sibling with her and getting Levi’s mother into rehab the same day.
- Conflict with Levi’s father: Cody (Levi’s father) was angry about the rehab admission and threatened to report the children as kidnapped.
- Proactive approach: The family contacted DCFS (Department of Child and Family Services), hoping transparency would protect them from accusations.
2. Last Contact with Levi ([05:01])
- Family gathering in September 2021: The last time the family saw Levi was at his great-grandmother’s birthday, arranged discreetly by his then-foster parents (relatives who weren’t supposed to enable family contact).
- Barriers to communication: The family had no direct contact with Levi after this event.
3. Limited Updates and Lack of Direct Access ([05:47], [06:37])
- Jennifer Wilson’s role: Jennifer, a family friend and eventual foster parent, was initially their only link to Levi, providing occasional updates and photos but never allowing direct communication.
- Expectation of trust: The family was relieved when Levi was placed with Jennifer, believing him to be safer, only later learning the reality after his death.
4. Learning About Levi’s Death ([07:43])
- How the family was notified: A text from a former foster parent was their first indication that Levi had died; direct confirmation from Jennifer Wilson was never received.
- Jennifer’s evasiveness: “If it’s not true, why wouldn’t you say no? That’s not true. She never directly denied it, but she never directly confirmed it.” – Melissa Mailer [09:18]
5. Court Proceedings & Sentencing ([10:56])
- Testifying at sentencing: Multiple family members testified, including Melissa, her niece Marley, and others from the extended family.
- Unexpected maximum sentence: The judge gave Jennifer Wilson the maximum penalty, overruling the prosecutor’s expectations:
“We were in shock that when he announced that. Elated that she was going to get the max.” – Melissa Mailer [11:59] - Memorable moment with the judge:
“The judge had asked [for a photo]. My sister-in-law... pulled his funeral card out of her bra and handed it to him. He propped it up and looked at it through the hearing.” – Melissa Mailer [13:19]
6. Systemic Failures and Judge Miller’s Bias ([13:40], [14:32])
- Perceived favoritism and conflict of interest: Jennifer’s career connections and past relationships with Judge Miller influenced Levi’s placement.
- Family sidelined: The adoption specialist acknowledged their love but then vanished after consulting with the judge.
- Past bias: Judge Miller had presided over Levi's parents’ juvenile cases, fueling mistrust and perceived hostility against the family.
7. Levi’s Parents & Family Life ([18:08], [19:44])
- Background: Gabby met Cody through Melissa’s introduction; both were loving parents before addiction took hold.
- Parental bond:
“Levi was crazy about his dad, and his dad was crazy about him.” – Melissa Mailer [19:51] - Pain of loss: Levi was not allowed to attend his father’s funeral, deepening his trauma.
8. Levi’s Personality and Interests ([20:50], [21:13], [22:01], [24:16])
- Extraordinary intelligence:
“He had an IQ of like 118 or something... higher than most adults at 10 years old.” – Melissa Mailer [21:04] - Curiosity: Levi used Google inquisitively, sorted phones, and was passionate about learning.
- Unique quirks: Loved Thomas the Tank Engine, was a picky but particular eater (only chicken nuggets).
- Compassion: He cared deeply for animals and nature (“Throw [the old Cheetos] outside for the birds, Grandma”).
- Sibling love:
“He would not hit [his sister] back... That’s not nice.” – Melissa Mailer [24:16]
9. On Levi’s Suffering and Misdiagnosis ([26:07], [26:41], [36:20])
- Heartbreaking awareness:
“He was aware of what was happening to him and he was pleading for his life and [Wilson] ignored his cries.” – Melissa Mailer [26:07] - RAD and autism claims: The family believes reports of mental health issues were consequences of removal from family, with an “autism diagnosis” surfacing only at trial—likely as legal defense spin.
10. Systemic Obstacles and Unfair Removal ([27:46], [29:10], [31:34])
- Family's struggle to be heard: DCFS dismissed the family, despite their consistent involvement and support.
- Case management biases: Disagreement with foster care therapy recommendations led to increasing hostility from the system.
- Unjust outcomes:
“One of the therapists said flat out, ‘if I have my way, they’ll never be with their family again’.” – Melissa Mailer [32:36]
11. Impact on Surviving Sister and Family ([33:54], [34:53])
- Lost connections: Levi’s sister was privately adopted and is kept away from the birth family, though reportedly loved and doing well.
- Lasting consequences: The tragedy shattered the family’s future and led to deep losses beyond Levi himself.
12. Failures of Mandatory Reporting and Community Accountability ([38:31], [39:51])
- Negligence of other adults: Jennifer Wilson’s daughter (a pediatric nurse), husband, and others failed to intervene while Levi was suffering.
- Pushing for “Levi’s Law”:
“All of those adults would be held responsible... some type of legal repercussion because they were all aware... and did not intervene.” – Melissa Mailer [39:58]
13. Family’s Advocacy and Healing ([40:22], [41:01], [42:40])
- Multiple petitions: Seeking DCFS accountability, harsher charges, and removal of Jennifer Wilson’s husband from a principal role.
- Memorializing Levi: A headstone, a vigil at the courthouse, and plans to adopt highway sections in his honor.
- Community support:
“We had almost 200 people... not just family... such an outpouring of love and support.” – Melissa Mailer [52:06]
14. Levi’s Signs and Lasting Influence ([50:21])
- Signs from Levi: The family recounts moments—seeing daisies, unusual butterflies at protest events, etc.—as signs of Levi’s enduring presence.
- Online remembrance: The “Honoring Dakota Levi Stevens” Facebook group keeps his memory alive and provides community.
15. The Importance of Truthful Storytelling ([47:35], [48:32])
- Gratitude to Lane:
“Thank you for caring about the truth and the integrity of the story... there’s been many TikToks and podcasts... not one has ever reached out to us.” – Melissa Mailer [47:35] - Frustration with misinformation: Family members express anger about inaccurate media, misinformation, and the re-traumatization that comes from seeing their story told without their input.
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
- “If it’s not true, why wouldn’t you say no? That’s not true. She never directly denied it, but she never directly confirmed it.” – Melissa Mailer [09:18]
- “We were in shock that when he announced that [sentence]. Elated that she was going to get the max.” – Melissa Mailer [11:59]
- “He would not hit [his sister] back... That’s not nice.” – Melissa Mailer [24:16]
- “He was aware of what was happening to him and he was pleading for his life and [Wilson] ignored his cries.” – Melissa Mailer [26:07]
- “One of the therapists said flat out, ‘if I have my way, they’ll never be with their family again’.” – Melissa Mailer [32:36]
- “Thank you for caring about the truth and the integrity of the story... not one has ever reached out to us.” – Melissa Mailer [47:35]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [03:59] — How DCS got involved, family’s intervention
- [05:01] — Last time the family saw Levi
- [07:43] — The devastating moment of learning about Levi’s death
- [10:56] — Testifying at sentencing, reactions to the verdict
- [13:40] — Systemic failures and biased judicial conduct
- [18:08], [19:44] — Levi’s parents: their story and struggle
- [21:04], [24:16] — Levi’s intelligence, interests, and loving relationships
- [26:07] — The trauma of Levi’s final moments
- [29:10], [31:34] — Systemic bias, removal from family, and effects
- [34:53] — Levi’s surviving sister’s fate
- [39:51] — “Levi’s Law” and the accountability movement
- [41:01] — Headstone and memorial initiatives
- [42:40] — Candlelight vigil and advocacy
- [47:35], [48:32] — Gratitude for telling the family’s true story
- [50:21] — Signs from Levi, ongoing hope, and remembrance
Tone and Closing
Sharing their laughter and tears, the family’s voices are full of love, heartbreak, and dogged determination to transform pain into change. The tone is direct and sometimes raw but always infused with the hope that Levi, the smart, compassionate, bug-loving little boy who wanted to help the world, will not have suffered in vain.
“Despite him being gone there, he still brings love. He still brings people together… You just—You never know.” – Melissa Mailer [55:05]
Further Action
- Sign the Petitions: Links provided in the show notes (details not shared during the pod).
- Join “Honoring Dakota Levi Stevens” Facebook Group: For ongoing updates and memorials.
- Support Levi’s Law: Add your voice to the campaign for stronger accountability in child protection and mandatory reporting.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the real human consequences of systemic failures in child welfare, and the enduring power of family to fight for truth and accountability.