Episode Overview

Podcast: Suffer the Little Children
Episode: (Re-Release) Episode 146: Alexavier Pedrin (Part 1)
Date: January 28, 2026
Host: Laine

Main Theme:
This episode dives into the heartbreaking story of Alexavier Pedrin, a six-year-old boy from Wisconsin whose short life was marked by instability, abuse, and systemic failures. Host Laine meticulously reconstructs Alexavier's family history, focusing on the backgrounds of his key caretakers—his parents, Derek and Jenna, and his stepmother Josie—while exposing missed red flags, gaps in child protective services, and ongoing domestic violence. Part 1 lays the context for Alexavier's tragic end, highlighting how warning signs were persistently ignored.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Case (00:00–05:10)

• Trigger Warning: Laine provides a content warning for graphic depictions of child abuse and violence.
• Brief of Alexavier's Case: His death followed a history of reported neglect and abuse, with failed interventions by authorities.
• Episode Motivation: Laine takes on Alexavier’s story at his family’s request, especially in light of a recent arrest in the case, reflecting the challenges families face seeking justice and coverage.
  • "Because there seemed to be no movement in the investigation, the police weren't releasing any information about it, and the media wasn't responding to the family's requests for updated coverage." (03:32)

2. Backgrounds of Parental Figures

Jenna Marie Anderson (Alexavier’s Mother) (05:10–07:00)

• Early Life: Troubled teenage years, escalating to car theft, runaway status, substance abuse, and eventually juvenile detention.
  • “They let me go real easy when I first got in the system.” – Jenna (04:35)
• Later Years: Noted improvement after detention but ongoing instability.

Derek Lee Pedrin (Alexavier’s Father) (07:01–12:10)

• Criminal Record: Long, turbulent history involving theft, domestic violence, bail jumping, substance abuse, and probation violations.
• Domestic Violence: Recurring theme, with Jenna at times both victim and enabler (removing no-contact orders).
• Associates: Dustin Barnes—his name recurs as linked to both criminal activities and abusive households.

Josie Marie Dyckman (Stepmother) (12:11–22:00)

• Connections: Former friend of Jenna, linked to Dustin Barnes (Derek's former accomplice).
• Early Motherhood & Neglect Allegations:
  • Neglected boyfriend’s toddler, leading to skull fracture and brain injury (2011). Charge dropped.
  • Substantiated for child neglect; later, convicted when same child returned and was again neglected—malnourished with multiple fractures.
• Pattern of Abuse & Neglect:
  • Only the non-biological child (HT) suffered severe abuse—food and hydration deprivation, punitive isolation, and physical injury.
    • “The hand injuries were consistent with someone slamming a toilet seat down on HT's hands.” (13:30)
  • Family members and social workers repeatedly reported Josie's harmful behavior.
  • “Josie would only allow the little girl three drinks per day so she wouldn't wet her pants.” (14:00)
• Financial Crimes and Addiction: History of fraud, substance use, and instability.

Notable Court Quotes & Perspectives:

• “This is an individual who let his own child suffer to keep a female happy.” – Prosecutor Emily Hynek (18:09)
• Judge Elliot Levine on HT’s condition: “Your base instinct to protect your child just went out the window. You are lucky your daughter didn't die.” (18:18)
• Judge Dale Passell on Josie's probation: “It's hard to believe someone would do this to a 3 year old. It broke my heart when I read about her climbing out of her barricaded bedroom…” (20:45)

3. Blended Family Dynamics and Official Oversight Failures (22:01–29:49)

• Blended Household: Derek, Josie, several children from various previous relationships—all living under one unstable roof, in and out of Wisconsin and Missouri, chronically homeless and under social service scrutiny.
• Frequent CPS Reports: Concerns about Alexavier’s well-being, including:
  • Minor but suspicious injuries (bruises, abrasions)
  • Possible sexualized behaviors (never confirmed as ongoing)
  • Repeated exposure to domestic violence
  • Reports mostly “screened out” or referred to community programs due to high thresholds for intervention.
• Notable Report (23:22):
  • AP (Alexavier’s older sister) told ER staff: “She didn’t like going to her dad's house because he and Josie often fought.” (23:37)
  • "The caller's worst fear ... was that if neglect was taking place, this could get worse and result in more significant injuries to Alexavier and/or the other children." (24:15)
• Systemic Inaction: Despite mounting evidence and repeated family concerns, CPS action was limited, often citing insufficient evidence of immediate danger.

4. Significant Domestic Events (29:50–32:30)

• Physical Altercations: Derek’s violence toward Josie led to multiple no-contact orders (always reverted at Josie's request), further destabilizing the household.
  • Josie’s self-report: afraid Derek “will try to kill me.” (32:38)
• Blended Family Collapse: After a cross-state move to Missouri with Jenna and her children, an altercation between Jenna and Josie resulted in a violent attack witnessed by several children.

5. Chronic Instability and Environmental Concerns (32:31–39:00)

• Grandparental Intervention: Grandmothers attempted to gain custody; multiple family members sought to document or intervene for Alexavier’s safety.
• Reports of Neglect: Lack of supervision, chaotic moves, homelessness, absence from school—all repeatedly noted by relatives and professionals.
• Incidents with Josie: Strict, punitive behaviors reminiscent of her past (e.g., making Alexavier drink his own spit—a chilling echo of her earlier neglect of HT).

6. The Lead-Up to Alexavier's Death (39:01–44:20)

• January 2023:
  • Alexavier suffers a suspiciously severe injury—a fractured femur. Vice-filled explanations offered, inconsistent with medical knowledge.
    • Josie: "This was the exact reason they went to Mayo and not Gunderson Hospital because she felt Gunderson was more likely to contact cps." (39:20)
  • Doctors ultimately (perhaps erroneously) classify injury as accidental; CPS opens case, visits home, but finds apparent order and no emergency intervention warranted.
  • Caseworker observation: “Alexavier was on the couch when this writer arrived and was talkative and happy… He stated that he was feeling better and excited to be starting back to school on Monday.” (43:34)
• Failed Safeguards: Less than three weeks after the broken femur, Alexavier would be dead—again underscoring system failure.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the System's Failures:
  • “Based simply on this family's history of domestic violence and past CPS involvement. That may be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard.” – Laine (38:47)
• On Repeated Reports Being Ignored:
  • “The report was screened out as no threatened, harm or maltreatment, recommending the family be referred to the Community Response Program.” (24:53)
• On the Tragedy of Missed Intervention:
  • “I can't help thinking that if Josie had been adequately charged for the abuse against her boyfriend's little girl, I might not be telling you this story today at all. I truly wish I wasn't.” – Laine (21:09)
• On Family Desperation:
  • “Josie needs help and the kids need stability.” (28:41)

Key Timestamps

• 00:00–05:10 – Introduction to the case and motivations for covering the story
• 05:10–12:10 – Overview of Jenna and Derek’s backgrounds and turbulent relationship
• 12:11–22:00 – Josie Dykman's criminal and child neglect history
• 22:01–29:49 – Early warnings, influx of children, and repeated but ignored CPS reports
• 29:50–32:30 – Escalation of domestic violence and its impact on the children
• 32:31–39:00 – Chronic instability, moves, homelessness, family and system responses
• 39:01–44:20 – The fractured femur, unsatisfying explanations, medical and CPS assessment, and ominous lead-up to Alexavier’s death

Episode Tone

Laine’s narration is resolutely factual, investigative, and often indignant—often expressing heartfelt frustration and sorrow over the systemic failings that failed Alexavier and other vulnerable children. The tone is compassionate toward victimized children and critical of both abusers and institutional inertia.

Conclusion & Set Up for Part 2

Part 1 ends with Alexavier’s death looming in the immediate future, after a long series of red flags and warnings. Laine promises a more detailed recounting of Alexavier’s final days—and family responses—in the next episode.

For listeners, this episode is a thorough, evidence-driven recounting of how an entire system failed to save Alexavier Pedrin. It spotlights the devastating consequences when abusers are insufficiently held accountable, and the vital importance of persistent, thorough intervention.