A heartbreaking story has emerged from Van Buren, Arkansas, where a stepfather is accused of causing the tragic death of his wife’s 2-year-old son during what he claimed were swimming lessons. The incident, which happened in June 2024, has left many shocked and angry.
The accused, 29-year-old Dakota Shawn Hays, allegedly drowned the toddler by repeatedly throwing him into a pool and pushing him underwater. Prosecutors say the boy’s mother, 24-year-old Annastacia Atkins, allowed the abuse to happen. Both Hays and Atkins have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and other offenses.
According to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, the tragedy occurred at a pool located at the victim’s aunt’s house. Hays was supposedly teaching the child to swim on June 17, but things took a horrifying turn. The little boy’s autopsy later revealed injuries that pointed to ongoing abuse, not just an accident.
On the day of the incident, Hays allegedly forced the toddler into the water repeatedly and held him under, trying to make him retrieve objects from the bottom of the pool. Two other children, a 6-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy, who were also present that day, told investigators they witnessed the cruel behavior. They said the 2-year-old begged to stop swimming, but Hays wouldn’t let him.
After taking a break for dinner, Hays brought the boy back to the pool for more “lessons.” Eventually, the toddler began spitting up water and shaking. Prosecutors say Hays later told police he thought the boy was having a seizure. He brought the child inside, claiming something was wrong.
While waiting for emergency responders, the boy stopped breathing, and his heart stopped. Atkins tried to perform chest compressions, and the child coughed up water, but it was too late. The medical examiner later confirmed the boy died due to a lack of oxygen to his brain.
Investigators say the other children described Hays as being especially rough with the 2-year-old. They also claimed Hays had hit the boy before, using a wooden stick on his head, knees, feet, and toes. Atkins admitted during interviews that Hays had been aggressive with her son in the past, though she downplayed the severity.
After the incident, Atkins said Hays kept apologizing and told her he was scared her son might be taken away. Hays reportedly told police he believed the boy’s death was a freak accident and denied deliberately hurting him, despite bruises found on the child.
Hays is now facing murder charges and is being held on a $1 million bond. Atkins, who is charged with permitting abuse of a minor as well as murder, is being held on a $750,000 bond. The case has left the local community in shock and raised serious concerns about the safety of children in abusive households.
