Josie Dikeman Denies Killing 6-Year-Old Alexavier Pedrin

josie dikeman testified on May 12, 2026, in her trial over the death of 6-year-old Alexavier Pedrin and denied killing him. She told jurors she treated Alexavier like her own children and blamed Derek Pedrin for abuse in the home.

Dikeman is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, chronic neglect of a child resulting in death and repeated physical abuse of a child. Her testimony came after other children in the home said Alexavier faced special rules, including being denied food and drinks.

Alexavier Pedrin trial testimony

Dikeman told the jury, "He was my son," and "I loved Alex with all my heart, just as if he came out of me." She also said, "I treated them all equal."

Her account directly challenged testimony from children who lived in the home and said Alexavier was not allowed to have food or drinks and that Dikeman poured hot sauce on his food. They also said he was only allowed to eat discarded pizza crusts from the other children.

Dikeman denied that allegation and said, "because I was finding half-eaten pizza and they’d want more and pizza’s expensive." She said the rules reflected food being shared in the home, not punishment directed at the boy.

Stairs and broken leg

Children in the home testified about an incident days before Alexavier’s death, saying Dikeman pushed him down the stairs and bent his leg back as far as she could. Dikeman denied pushing him and said she did not see him fall.

She told jurors, "I was going upstairs to get their clothes for the day and I heard ‘thump thump.’ I heard that and then I heard Alex screaming." She also said hearing her children testify was "heartbreaking, especially hearing all of the lies."

Dikeman appeared to have a flat affect while testifying and at times struggled with memory. She took a break to take medication for a headache, and later said, "My brain’s going through a lot right now." She added, "And it’s starting to block everything out."

Derek Pedrin allegations

Dikeman also recounted abuse she says came from Alexavier’s father, Derek Pedrin, targeting both her and the boy. She said Pedrin shoved Alexavier’s dental crown back into his mouth, telling jurors, "Derek tried shoving it back in his mouth."

She added, "He made Alex open his mouth, and he shoved it back in and Alex was crying." Asked how many times she saw Pedrin hit his son, she answered, "I can’t count, it’s been ever since he was a baby."

Pedrin previously testified that he was violent at times with Dikeman but denied ever touching his children. Dikeman flatly denied killing Alexavier when asked by her attorney and said she woke up to find him unresponsive and immediately called 911.

An autopsy showed that Alexavier suffered blunt force trauma and a lacerated liver. The trial now turns on how jurors weigh Dikeman’s denials against the children's testimony and the physical evidence tied to the boy’s death.

Jury weighs Dikeman testimony

The testimony put Dikeman’s own account directly against statements from children who said Alexavier was singled out in the home and against the autopsy findings. Jurors have to sort out whether her account of abuse by Derek Pedrin explains the violence alleged in the case or whether it leaves her responsible for what happened to Alexavier.