Mother, who 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, was sentenced
Tennessee – In a disturbing case in Tennessee, 23-year-old mother, identified as M. Boswell, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of her toddler daughter, Evelyn. The young mother faced multiple charges, including three counts of first-degree murder, leading to her conviction and a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 51 years. Boswell entered a not guilty plea to the charges of premeditated first-degree murder in connection with Evelyn’s death on June 20, 2023.
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 upgraded 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 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. Boswell claimed throughout the trial that she had been co-sleeping with her daughter and her boyfriend and found Evelyn unresponsive upon waking. On top of the murder charges, Boswell was found guilty of two counts of aggravated child abuse, one count of tampering with evidence, 11 counts of false reports to an officer, one count of abuse of a corpse, and one count of refusal or neglect to comply with death under suspicious circumstances. Sentencing for these additional charges is set to be discussed further in a court hearing scheduled for May 22.
The sentencing last week reflects the severity of the crime and the profound impact on the community and the victim’s family. Prosecutor statements highlighted the egregious nature of the crime, emphasizing the irreversible harm done to the young child and her family. TBI Director D. Rausch expressed his sentiments following the sentencing last week, acknowledging the exhaustive efforts of law enforcement over the past five years. “Every single person who worked on this case should be commended. It was both challenging and heartbreaking, but they never wavered from their mission to ensure the person responsible for Evelyn’s death was held accountable,” Rausch stated.
