What Happened to Josie Dikeman?
Josie Dikeman is currently on trial, accused of first-degree intentional homicide, chronic neglect, and repeated physical abuse in the 2023 death of her boyfriend's six-year-old son, Alexavier Pedrin. The trial, which began in late April 2026, saw closing arguments presented on May 15, 2026, with the jury now in deliberation. Dikeman maintains her innocence, alleging that the child's father was the abuser.
Quick Answer
Josie Dikeman is presently standing trial in Wisconsin for the alleged murder of her boyfriend's six-year-old son, Alexavier Pedrin, who died in February 2023 from blunt force trauma and Xanax toxicity. Her trial commenced in April 2026, and as of May 15, 2026, closing arguments have concluded, and the jury has begun deliberations. Dikeman has pleaded not guilty, with her defense pointing to the child's father as the perpetrator.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Alexavier Pedrin Hospitalized for Femur Fracture
Alexavier Pedrin was hospitalized for a femur fracture, with doctors expressing concerns about potential abuse.
Derek Pedrin Arrested for Domestic Violence
Alexavier's father, Derek Pedrin, was arrested for violating a no-contact order and domestic violence hours before Alexavier's death.
Alexavier Pedrin Found Unresponsive; Pronounced Dead
Josie Dikeman called 911 reporting her 6-year-old boyfriend's son, Alexavier Pedrin, unresponsive. He was later pronounced dead.
Autopsy Reveals Blunt Force Trauma and Xanax Toxicity
An autopsy determined Alexavier Pedrin died from blunt force trauma, with the toxic effects of Xanax identified as a contributing factor.
Josie Dikeman Charged with Homicide
Josie Dikeman, 31, was formally charged with first-degree intentional homicide, chronic neglect of a child, and physical abuse of a child.
Jury Selection and Opening Arguments Begin
Jury selection was completed, and opening arguments commenced in Josie Dikeman's homicide trial.
Josie Dikeman Pleads Not Guilty
Josie Dikeman formally pleaded not guilty to all charges related to Alexavier Pedrin's death.
Recorded 'I'm Free' Comment Revealed
A recorded conversation was played in court where Josie Dikeman told Derek Pedrin, 'I'm free,' after learning the cause of death was not overdose.
Children Testify to Abuse
Dikeman's son and stepson testified, detailing instances where they witnessed her kick, hit, and choke Alexavier.
Dikeman Testifies, Denies Abuse
Josie Dikeman took the stand, denying she killed Alexavier and claiming his father, Derek Pedrin, was the abuser. She also cited cognitive deficits.
Defense Rests Case
The defense rested its case after further testimony, including from a forensic pathologist who questioned the definitive cause of death.
Closing Arguments and Jury Deliberations Begin
Both the prosecution and defense delivered their closing arguments, and the jury began deliberations in the trial of Josie Dikeman.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Josie Dikeman, a Wisconsin resident, has been at the center of a high-profile criminal case since the tragic death of Alexavier Pedrin, her boyfriend's six-year-old son, on February 11, 2023. Authorities were called to her home after Dikeman reported the child unresponsive. An autopsy later revealed Alexavier died from blunt force trauma, with Xanax toxicity identified as a contributing factor.
The prosecution alleges that Dikeman was responsible for Alexavier's death, citing a history of abuse. Children residing in the home testified during the trial, detailing instances where they witnessed Dikeman physically abuse Alexavier, including kicking, hitting, choking, and pushing him down stairs. They also reported that Alexavier was sometimes fed noodles with hot sauce as punishment. Medical records also showed Alexavier suffered a femur fracture in January 2023, raising earlier concerns about potential abuse.
Dikeman pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree intentional homicide, chronic neglect of a child resulting in death, and repeated physical abuse of a child causing death. Her defense has argued that the state pursued the wrong person, instead implicating Alexavier's father, Derek Pedrin, as the true abuser. They highlighted that Pedrin was arrested for domestic violence just hours before his son's death and claimed to have videos showing Pedrin abusing Dikeman and the children. Dikeman herself testified, denying any abuse towards Alexavier, stating she loved him like her own son, and attributing the abuse to Derek Pedrin. She also claimed to suffer from cognitive impairments due to past traumatic brain injuries, which a forensic psychologist corroborated as affecting her memory and emotional responses.
A key turning point in the trial included the playing of recorded conversations between Dikeman and Derek Pedrin, where Dikeman, upon hearing that Alexavier's death was not definitively an overdose, responded with, 'I'm free'. Conversely, a forensic pathologist testified for the defense, stating that Alexavier's cause of death could not be definitively determined and that drug intoxication could not be ruled out, suggesting respiratory failure as a likely cause and that some blunt force injuries could have resulted from rough play with siblings.
As of May 15, 2026, the trial has reached its final stages. Closing arguments were presented by both the prosecution and defense, with the jury now deliberating the verdict. The outcome of this trial will determine whether Josie Dikeman faces a potential life sentence for the death of Alexavier Pedrin.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Josie Dikeman made different choices?