Episode 166: Serenity Robinson

In the last episode, I told you the story of ten-year-old Dakota Levi Stevens, a smart, creative, charming kid who was dealt a bad hand in life and died at the hands of a foster mother and longtime family friend. Jennifer Wilson is now serving a regrettably short sentence in the Indiana prison system for crushing 91-pound Levi to death with her 341-pound body weight.In this episode, you’ll hear my conversation with three of the people who loved Levi the most: Grandma Melissa Mahler; Aunt Ana Parrish; and Uncle Alex Parrish. Levi’s maternal family members told me about their family's constant attempts to rescue Levi from the foster care system; their heartache at Levi’s bright light being snuffed out by someone they thought they could trust; and their efforts to make changes to help other kids like Levi.This is part two of the heart-wrenching story of Dakota Levi Stevens.Honoring Dakota Levi Stevens on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3953712874915112/ Change.org petition to remove Robert Wilson as middle school principal: https://www.change.org/p/demand-the-removal-of-principal-robert-wilson-from-lake-ridge-new-tech-middle-school Change.org petition to hold DCS accountable for failing Indiana’s vulnerable children: https://www.change.org/p/hold-the-department-of-children-and-family-services-accountable-for-foster-child-deaths Levi’s Law petition: https://www.change.org/p/let-s-get-levi-s-law-started?recruiter=295397157&recruited_by_id=d285ea50-f8dd-11e4-8573-5be613050eb0 Lake County Candlelight Vigil for Victims of Child Abuse (April 30): https://www.facebook.com/share/16RPD7VvE4/ Photos related to today's episode can be viewed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sufferthelittlechildrenpod You can also follow the podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sufferthelittlechildrenpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@STLCpodMy Linktree is available here: https://linktr.ee/stlcpod Visit the podcast's web page at https://www.sufferthelittlechildrenpod.com. By supporting me on Patreon, you'll also access rewards, including a shout-out by name on the podcast and exclusive rewards. Visit www.patreon.com/STLCpod. You can also support the podcast on www.Ko-Fi.com/STLCpod. **New! Become a member of my channel for perks, ranging from a shout-out, members-only chat emoji, loyalty badges, to other rewards. Click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCogRWoIzWMy7TX5PuX18smQ/join Join my Spreaker Supporters' Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children--4232884/support This podcast is researched, written, hosted, edited, and produced by Laine.Music for this episode is licensed from https://audiojungle.net. Subscribe to Suffer the Little Children:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/id1499010711Google Podcasts: https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&apn=com.google.android.music&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/I5mx3lacxpdkhssmk2n22csf32u?t%3DSuffer_the_Little_Children%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/suffer-the-little-children Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/PC:61848?part=PC:61848&corr=podcast_organic_external_site&TID=Brand:POC:PC61848:podcast_organic_external_siteSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w98Tpd3710BZ0u036T1KEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/77891101/ ...or on your favorite podcast listening platform.

30 Apr 52min

Get your Magic Mind here: https://magicmind.com/BYLAINE20You get 20% off for a one-time purchase and up to 48% off for subscriptions with my code: BYLAINE20On April 25, 2024, 10-year-old Dakota Levi Stevens was rushed to the hospital in Valparaiso, Indiana, unresponsive. He was placed on life support, but his brain had been deprived of oxygen for too long, and after two days, Levi died. His foster mother, Jennifer Lee Wilson, admitted to police that in an attempt to control his behavior, she had laid her 341-pound body on top of the 91-pound boy. Surveillance camera footage proved that Levi lay motionless under Jennifer for over eight minutes before she moved, asking if he was faking.This is the story of a joyful, creative, lively little boy who loved Pokemon, Minecraft, bugs, and his little sister. It’s also the story of a broken-hearted family who wanted only to protect Levi but weren’t given the chance by a state system that has failed far too many children.This is part one of the heart-wrenching story of Dakota Levi Stevens.Honoring Dakota Levi Stevens on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3953712874915112/ Change.org petition to remove Robert Wilson as middle school principal: https://www.change.org/p/demand-the-removal-of-principal-robert-wilson-from-lake-ridge-new-tech-middle-school Change.org petition to hold DCS accountable for failing Indiana’s vulnerable children: https://www.change.org/p/hold-the-department-of-children-and-family-services-accountable-for-foster-child-deaths Levi’s Law petition: https://www.change.org/p/let-s-get-levi-s-law-started?recruiter=295397157&recruited_by_id=d285ea50-f8dd-11e4-8573-5be613050eb0 Geisen Funeral Home memorial video: https://www.tributeslides.com/proxy/videos/embedded_video/SNG7PTDFWK8XF844 Thomas the Tank Engine Theme background music by R3 Music Box on YouTube. (https://www.youtube.com/@r3musicbox_en) Photos related to today's episode can be viewed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sufferthelittlechildrenpod You can also follow the podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sufferthelittlechildrenpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@STLCpodMy Linktree is available here: https://linktr.ee/stlcpod Visit the podcast's web page at https://www.sufferthelittlechildrenpod.com. By supporting me on Patreon, you'll also access rewards, including a shout-out by name on the podcast and exclusive rewards. Visit www.patreon.com/STLCpod. You can also support the podcast on www.Ko-Fi.com/STLCpod. **New! Become a member of my channel for perks, ranging from a shout-out, members-only chat emoji, loyalty badges to other rewards. Click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCogRWoIzWMy7TX5PuX18smQ/join Join my Spreaker Supporters' Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children--4232884/support This podcast is researched, written, hosted, edited, and produced by Laine.Music for this episode is licensed from https://audiojungle.net. Subscribe to Suffer the Little Children:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/id1499010711Google Podcasts: https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&apn=com.google.android.music&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/I5mx3lacxpdkhssmk2n22csf32u?t%3DSuffer_the_Little_Children%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/suffer-the-little-children Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/PC:61848?part=PC:61848&corr=podcast_organic_external_site&TID=Brand:POC:PC61848:podcast_organic_external_siteSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w98Tpd3710BZ0u036T1KEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/77891101/ ...or on your favorite podcast listening platform.

26 Apr 1h 6min

*This formerly Patreon-exclusive bonus minisode was originally released on August 19, 2021.In January 2020, a Tennessee mom stepped away for ten minutes of "me time," leaving her two young children alone in the bathtub, and returned to find her 11-month-old son, Aidan Leonardo, floating in the water, unresponsive.Photos related to today's episode can be viewed here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/photo-gallery-5-55101300 You can also follow the podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sufferthelittlechildrenpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@STLCpodMy Linktree is available here: https://linktr.ee/stlcpod Visit the podcast's web page at https://www.sufferthelittlechildrenpod.com. By supporting me on Patreon, you'll also access rewards, including a shout-out by name on the podcast and exclusive rewards. Visit www.patreon.com/STLCpod. You can also support the podcast on www.Ko-Fi.com/STLCpod. **New! Become a member of my channel for perks, ranging from a shout-out, members-only chat emoji, loyalty badges to other rewards. Click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCogRWoIzWMy7TX5PuX18smQ/join Join my Spreaker Supporters' Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children--4232884/support This podcast is researched, written, hosted, edited, and produced by Laine.Music for this episode is licensed from https://audiojungle.net. Subscribe to Suffer the Little Children:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/id1499010711Google Podcasts: https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&apn=com.google.android.music&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/I5mx3lacxpdkhssmk2n22csf32u?t%3DSuffer_the_Little_Children%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/suffer-the-little-children Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/PC:61848?part=PC:61848&corr=podcast_organic_external_site&TID=Brand:POC:PC61848:podcast_organic_external_siteSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w98Tpd3710BZ0u036T1KEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/77891101/ ...or on your favorite podcast listening platform.

29 Mar 11min

*This formerly Patreon-exclusive bonus minisode was originally released on September 28, 2021.A young North Carolina couple lost a baby in what appeared to be a tragic case of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). When their second infant died less than two years later with multiple suspicious injuries, authorities began looking harder at father Zachary Lee Littell.Photos related to today's episode can be viewed here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/photo-gallery-6-56738341 You can also follow the podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sufferthelittlechildrenpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@STLCpodMy Linktree is available here: https://linktr.ee/stlcpod Visit the podcast's web page at https://www.sufferthelittlechildrenpod.com. By supporting me on Patreon, you'll also access rewards, including a shout-out by name on the podcast and exclusive rewards. Visit www.patreon.com/STLCpod. You can also support the podcast on www.Ko-Fi.com/STLCpod. **New! Become a member of my channel for perks, ranging from a shout-out, members-only chat emoji, loyalty badges to other rewards. Click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCogRWoIzWMy7TX5PuX18smQ/join Join my Spreaker Supporters' Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children--4232884/support This podcast is researched, written, hosted, edited, and produced by Laine.Music for this episode is licensed from https://audiojungle.net. Subscribe to Suffer the Little Children:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/id1499010711Google Podcasts: https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&apn=com.google.android.music&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/I5mx3lacxpdkhssmk2n22csf32u?t%3DSuffer_the_Little_Children%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/suffer-the-little-children Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/PC:61848?part=PC:61848&corr=podcast_organic_external_site&TID=Brand:POC:PC61848:podcast_organic_external_siteSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w98Tpd3710BZ0u036T1KEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/77891101/ ...or on your favorite podcast listening platform.

29 Mar 12min

Get 25% off the Magic Mind gummies here:  magicmind.com/LAINEGM You can also use my code, LAINE25, directly on their website. #magicmind #gummiesIn 2022, 15-month-old Isabella Kuykendall attended the United States Navy’s Ford Island Child Development Center, a daycare at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for three days. During those three days, Bella went from a happy, bubbly baby to alternately crying hysterically and becoming quiet and withdrawn. Then her parents noticed a distinctive pinching bruise on Bella’s thigh. An investigation turned up hours of CCTV footage from inside the daycare, showing three workers abusing the baby, including pinching, shoving, crushing, slapping, shaking, and smothering her.Bella’s parents, JD and Kaitlin Kuykendall, assumed their baby’s abusers would immediately face consequences, but instead, officials seemed hell-bent on sweeping the incident under the rug. The daycare workers responsible remained working at the CDC for months. Only when Bella’s parents went public with her story were any charges pressed, and those were woefully inadequate.In this episode, you’ll hear my conversation with Kaitlin Kuykendall about what Bella endured, how it continues to affect her to this day, and why Kaitlin and her husband went public with her story.This is the inspiring story of Operation Mei Mei.Operation Mei Mei on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573058332219Photos related to today's episode can be viewed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sufferthelittlechildrenpod You can also follow the podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sufferthelittlechildrenpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@STLCpodMy Linktree is available here: https://linktr.ee/stlcpod Visit the podcast's web page at https://www.sufferthelittlechildrenpod.com. By supporting me on Patreon, you'll also access rewards, including a shout-out by name on the podcast and exclusive rewards. Visit www.patreon.com/STLCpod. You can also support the podcast on www.Ko-Fi.com/STLCpod. **New! Become a member of my channel for perks, ranging from a shout-out, members-only chat emoji, loyalty badges to other rewards. Click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCogRWoIzWMy7TX5PuX18smQ/join Join my Spreaker Supporters' Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children--4232884/support This podcast is researched, written, hosted, edited, and produced by Laine.Music for this episode is licensed from https://audiojungle.net. Subscribe to Suffer the Little Children:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/id1499010711Google Podcasts: https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&apn=com.google.android.music&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/I5mx3lacxpdkhssmk2n22csf32u?t%3DSuffer_the_Little_Children%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/suffer-the-little-children Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/PC:61848?part=PC:61848&corr=podcast_organic_external_site&TID=Brand:POC:PC61848:podcast_organic_external_siteSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w98Tpd3710BZ0u036T1KEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/77891101/ ...or on your favorite podcast listening platform.

19 Mar 48min

Get up to 48% off your Magic Mind subscription by visiting magicmind.com/LAINE20 and using my code, LAINE20. **Live chat with me on Discord when the episode drops! I'll be live chatting from 6:00-8:30 PM Eastern on February 19, 2025 here: https://discord.gg/JRvW3FYw?event=1341862349870600303Over the last three episodes, I’ve told you the story of 8-year-old Raylee Browning, a little girl who died from abusive, neglectful, callous treatment in the home of her father, his girlfriend, and the woman’s sister. This has been the most comprehensive telling to date of Raylee’s story, with details you haven’t heard anywhere else.In this episode, you’ll hear my conversation with Janice Wriston, Raylee’s only mommy, who fought tooth and nail for Raylee and begged various government agencies for help that never came. Janice has been to hell and back since meeting Marty Browning Jr. in 2008. Now, six years after her daughter was cruelly ripped away, Janice is finally ready to tell the world her truth, and Raylee’s.This is the conclusion of the harrowing story of Raylee Browning, retold.Photos related to today's episode can be viewed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sufferthelittlechildrenpod You can also follow the podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sufferthelittlechildrenpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@STLCpodMy Linktree is available here: https://linktr.ee/stlcpod Visit the podcast's web page at https://www.sufferthelittlechildrenpod.com. By supporting me on Patreon, you'll also access rewards, including a shout-out by name on the podcast and exclusive rewards. Visit www.patreon.com/STLCpod. You can also support the podcast on www.Ko-Fi.com/STLCpod. **New! Become a member of my channel for perks, ranging from a shout-out, members-only chat emoji, loyalty badges, and live premiere chats to other rewards. Click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCogRWoIzWMy7TX5PuX18smQ/join Join my Spreaker Supporters' Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children--4232884/support This podcast is researched, written, hosted, edited, and produced by Laine.Music for this episode is licensed from https://audiojungle.net. Subscribe to Suffer the Little Children:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/id1499010711Google Podcasts: https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&apn=com.google.android.music&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/I5mx3lacxpdkhssmk2n22csf32u?t%3DSuffer_the_Little_Children%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/suffer-the-little-children Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/PC:61848?part=PC:61848&corr=podcast_organic_external_site&TID=Brand:POC:PC61848:podcast_organic_external_siteSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w98Tpd3710BZ0u036T1KEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/77891101/ ...or on your favorite podcast listening platform.

19 Feb 2h 21min

*This minisode was formerly available only to patrons. To help support the show, you can visit https://patreon.com/STLCpod.A Virginia family is shattered, a precious five-month-old baby dead, a mother permanently injured, and a husband to blame for their vicious attack.This is the horrific story of Emmy Chambers.Photos related to today's episode can be viewed on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/photo-gallery-4-54081887   You can also follow the podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sufferthelittlechildrenpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@STLCpodMy Linktree is available here: https://linktr.ee/stlcpod Visit the podcast's web page at https://www.sufferthelittlechildrenpod.com. By supporting me on Patreon, you'll also access rewards, including a shout-out by name on the podcast and exclusive rewards. Visit www.patreon.com/STLCpod. You can also support the podcast on www.Ko-Fi.com/STLCpod. Join my Supporters' Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children--4232884/support This podcast is researched, written, hosted, edited, and produced by Laine.Music for this episode is licensed from https://audiojungle.net. Subscribe to Suffer the Little Children:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/id1499010711Google Podcasts: https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&apn=com.google.android.music&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/I5mx3lacxpdkhssmk2n22csf32u?t%3DSuffer_the_Little_Children%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/suffer-the-little-children Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/PC:61848?part=PC:61848&corr=podcast_organic_external_site&TID=Brand:POC:PC61848:podcast_organic_external_siteSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w98Tpd3710BZ0u036T1KEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/77891101/ ...or on your favorite podcast listening platform.

15 Feb 16min

Get Magic Mind’s “24-hour bundle” for 45% off using my link! https://www.magicmind.com/LAINEJAN In parts 1 and 2, I told you about Raylee Browning, a sweet, gentle, loving 8-year-old girl whose father, his girlfriend, and the girlfriend’s sister made Raylee their scapegoat for years, putting her through horrific abuse and neglect, all because she had a different mommy than the other three kids in the home. In this episode, I’ll finish telling you Raylee’s story, going into detail about the testimony given during the criminal trial of Raylee’s father, Marty Browning Jr.; his then-girlfriend, Julie Titchenell; and Julie’s sister, Sherie Titchenell. I’ll tell you about the outcome of that trial. I’ll also share with you a little about who Raylee JoLynn Browning was, mainly through her loving mommy’s recollections of her.This is part three of the harrowing story of Raylee Browning."[Music Box Cover] You Are My Sunshine" by @Musicbox cover is licensed under CC BY 4.0.Photos related to today's episode can be viewed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sufferthelittlechildrenpod You can also follow the podcast on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sufferthelittlechildrenpodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@STLCpodMy Linktree is available here: https://linktr.ee/stlcpod Visit the podcast's web page at https://www.sufferthelittlechildrenpod.com. By supporting me on Patreon, you'll also access rewards, including a shout-out by name on the podcast and exclusive rewards. Visit www.patreon.com/STLCpod. You can also support the podcast on www.Ko-Fi.com/STLCpod. **New! Become a member of my channel for perks, ranging from a shout-out, members-only chat emoji, loyalty badges to other rewards. Click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCogRWoIzWMy7TX5PuX18smQ/joinJoin my Spreaker Supporters' Club: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children--4232884/support This podcast is researched, written, hosted, edited, and produced by Laine.Music for this episode is licensed from https://audiojungle.net. Subscribe to Suffer the Little Children:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/id1499010711Google Podcasts: https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&apn=com.google.android.music&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/I5mx3lacxpdkhssmk2n22csf32u?t%3DSuffer_the_Little_Children%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/suffer-the-little-children Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/suffer-the-little-children/PC:61848?part=PC:61848&corr=podcast_organic_external_site&TID=Brand:POC:PC61848:podcast_organic_external_siteSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0w98Tpd3710BZ0u036T1KEiHeartRadio: https://iheart.com/podcast/77891101/ ...or on your favorite podcast listening platform.

30 Jan 45min