Arkansas Step-Parents Charged with Murder After Toddler Drowns During Alleged Swimming Lesson

Two individuals have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a young child, following an investigation that also revealed past abuse.

In a heart-wrenching case out of Van Buren, Arkansas, a mother and her boyfriend face charges after the tragic drowning of her 2-year-old son in what authorities say was an attempt to teach the boy how to swim, but prosecutors believe it was the result of abuse.

Dakota Shawn Hays, 29, and Annastacia Atkins, 24, were arrested this week and are now facing first-degree murder charges in connection with the June 2024 death of Atkins' son, along with other charges related to past abuse uncovered during the investigation. The couple allegedly allowed the child to suffer severe mistreatment that ultimately led to his death. According to the Crawford County Sheriff's Office, the child's injuries were consistent with physical trauma, not an accident.

The incident occurred on June 17, 2024, when Hays was reportedly trying to teach the toddler to swim at a pool at the victim’s aunt’s house. During the lesson, Hays repeatedly threw the child into the pool and forced him to go underwater, allegedly in an attempt to make the boy retrieve objects from the bottom. The toddler is said to have expressed his fear and reluctance to swim, but Hays continued, and after a break for dinner, they returned to the pool for more of the same treatment.

Things took a turn when the 2-year-old began “spitting up water” and shaking. Hays allegedly thought the child was having a seizure and stopped the lesson, but it was too late. When the child’s condition worsened, Hays called for help. The couple began CPR, and as they spoke to dispatchers, the child’s heart stopped, and he stopped breathing.

Annastacia Atkins told police that after the incident, Hays kept apologizing, claiming it was a freak accident.

However, during interviews, Hays reportedly expressed fear, claiming he had never been in trouble before and would never intentionally hurt a child. Meanwhile, the medical examiner confirmed that the cause of death was a lack of oxygen to the child’s brain, consistent with drowning.

Other children who were present that day shared disturbing details about the abuse the 2-year-old suffered. They claimed Hays had been particularly harsh with the toddler, even striking him with a wooden stick on his head, knees, and feet. These revelations have led to further charges against Hays, including endangerment of a minor, while Atkins faces charges for permitting abuse of a minor.

Both suspects remain behind bars: Hays on a $1 million bond, and Atkins on a $750,000 bond.

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