Mother dumped her 1-year-old daughter in garbage while alive after wrapping her in foil and blanket and then claimed she died in co-sleeping accident; pleads not guilty
Tennessee – A mother from Tennessee, identified as M. Boswell, embroiled in a harrowing legal battle, has entered a not guilty plea to charges of premeditated first-degree murder in the death of her toddler daughter, Evelyn. This plea was made on June 20, 2023, during a scheduled court appearance that was initially intended to discuss a potential change of venue for her trial. However, this hearing has been postponed until August.
Evelyn was reported missing to the sheriff’s office on February 18, 2020, sparking widespread concern. It was later revealed that the 15-month-old had not been seen since December 26, 2019. Authorities issued an Amber Alert the following day. In a swift response to the alert, Boswell was apprehended in North Carolina on unrelated charges on February 20, 2020. The case saw a significant development on March 6, 2020, when human remains were discovered on a property owned by a relative of Boswell. These remains were subsequently identified as those of the young Evelyn. This discovery led to a deeper investigation into the circumstances surrounding Evelyn’s death and disappearance.
In August 2020, Boswell was charged with a series of grave offenses, including two counts of murder, one count of aggravated child abuse, and one count of aggravated child neglect, among others. She faced additional charges of tampering with evidence, abusing a corpse, failing to report a death under suspicious circumstances, and providing false reports to investigators. Throughout the investigation, Boswell reportedly made conflicting and misleading statements regarding her daughter’s whereabouts.
The DA, B. Staubus, indicated that the recent escalation to a charge of premeditated first-degree murder was based on new evidence that emerged post-indictment. This assertion underscores the complexity and evolving nature of the case. A pivotal moment in the legal process occurred during a hearing in September 2022, where Special Agent B. Fraley provided detailed testimony regarding the discovery of Evelyn’s body. The child’s remains were found concealed in a playhouse, wrapped in bags, and placed inside a trash can on the property of Boswell’s father, who had urged the authorities to search the area.
Forensic analysis painted a grim picture of the toddler’s final moments. Evelyn was allegedly wrapped tightly in foil and a blanket and placed alive in the trash can in a distorted fetal position. The autopsy suggested asphyxiation as the cause of death, a detail that starkly contrasted with Boswell’s claim of a co-sleeping accident. As the legal proceedings continue, Boswell remains in custody, with her trial scheduled to begin on February 3, 2025.
