Indiana boy, 10, suffocated to death in foster home in brutal killing

The death of a 10-year-old boy in foster care in Indiana has been ruled a homicide. Dakota Stevens died in April following a "medical emergency".

Porter County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a home in Falcon Way in Valparaiso in relation to a young boy suffering an emergency , the Indianapolis Star reports. He was transported to a hospital in Porter and then airlifted to another facility in South Bend.

After two days, he was taken off life support. A coroner has since ruled his death a homicide by mechanical asphyxia .

• Kentucky missing baby search turns desperate as grandparents arrested in 'sinister' turn
• Teen Mom star Amber Portwood's missing fiance located by police in Oklahoma after disappearance

No arrests have been made in relation to the 10-year-old's death. Stevens had been in foster care for several years because his parents suffered from drug addiction, WGN reports.

His father died from his drug use which resulted in a blood infection. Dakota was placed in the custody of his aunt for a year.

She was also caring for Dakota's sister. She described the boy as bringing a lot of joy to people.

For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here .

The boy and his sister were reportedly removed from their aunt's custody and placed into state custody by the Indiana Department of Child Services. His sister was adopted and he was placed into a foster family.

"Our entire staff is heartbroken by this news. DCS works with stakeholders and partners across the state to investigate the death of a child any time there is suspected abuse or neglect and will take the appropriate action," the Department of Child Services told the Indianapolis Star in a statement.

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .