Megan Boswell, a 23-year-old mother from Tennessee, has been convicted of murdering her 15-month-old daughter, Evelyn Mae Boswell. A jury in Sullivan County found her guilty on three counts of first-degree murder, along with charges of aggravated child abuse and aggravated child neglect. The verdict came after a trial in which Boswell pleaded not guilty and chose not to testify.
Evelyn was last seen in December 2019, but her disappearance was not reported until months later. In March 2020, authorities discovered her remains hidden inside a playhouse on a family member’s property. The case drew widespread attention due to Boswell’s inconsistent statements throughout the investigation. Law enforcement officials noted that she repeatedly changed her story when questioned, complicating efforts to locate the missing child.
Megan Boswell was indicted on murder charges in August 2020. During the trial, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Agent Brian Fraley testified that Boswell had falsely claimed Evelyn died while co-sleeping. Sullivan County Sheriff Jeff Cassidy also stated in a 2020 press conference that Boswell’s accounts kept changing, further raising suspicions.
After closing arguments concluded, the jury deliberated for just over four hours before reaching a verdict. On Thursday, the court sentenced Boswell to life in prison with the possibility of parole. This ruling meant she avoided a harsher sentence of life without parole.
The tragic case has left Evelyn’s family devastated. Her grandfather expressed that the family, excluding Evelyn’s grandmother who was previously arrested in connection with the case, is struggling with anguish over the loss.
Throughout the investigation, Boswell’s misleading statements delayed efforts to find Evelyn. Her behavior, coupled with the shocking discovery of Evelyn’s body in the playhouse, played a crucial role in securing her conviction. The case remains a significant example of child abuse and neglect, highlighting the importance of swift and truthful reporting in missing child cases.
