In a Sullivan County courtroom, a judge labeled Megan Boswell a “dangerous offender” as he sentenced her to spend the rest of her life in prison for the murder of her 15-month-old daughter, Evelyn. The ruling on September 5 marks the grim conclusion to a case that began with a desperate Amber Alert and involved years of legal battles, culminating in a sentence of life without parole plus an additional 33 years.
Who is Megan Boswell and What Was She Convicted Of?
Megan Boswell, a 24-year-old Tennessee mother, was found guilty earlier this year on a multitude of charges related to the death of her toddler, Evelyn Mae Boswell. After a week-long trial, a jury convicted her of first-degree murder, along with charges of child abuse, child neglect, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, and making false reports to police. Prosecutors, who did not seek the death penalty, argued for the maximum sentence.
Sullivan County Judge Jim Goodwin did not mince words during the sentencing hearing. He stated that the crime demonstrated “extreme brutality” and that Boswell had shown “absolutely no hesitation” in killing her daughter. The life sentence without the possibility of parole was for the murder charge. The additional 33 years were tacked on consecutively for the other convictions, a move Judge Goodwin said reflected the sheer seriousness and multiplicity of her crimes.
What Did Megan Boswell Say?
In a final statement to the court, Boswell maintained her complete innocence. She claimed, “The state of Tennessee treated me very unfairly,” and insisted, “If I had had a fair trial, I would have been acquitted.” The jury’s decision and the judge’s description of her behavior contrast sharply with this denial.
What Was the Defense’s Argument?
Boswell’s defense attorney, Gene G Scott Jr, immediately announced plans to appeal the conviction. The core of their argument hinges on the cause of death. Scott pointed out that the medical examiner was unable to determine exactly how Evelyn died. “If you can’t prove how the child died, how can you prove it was murder?” he questioned, suggesting reasonable doubt was not overcome.
Prosecutors remain confident that the conviction will withstand an appeal. Deputy District Attorney William B Harper stated, “I feel like we had a clean trial,” while acknowledging that the defense will naturally try to find issues to contest. A plethora of circumstantial evidence, such as Boswell’s inconsistent accounts and the somber discovery of the child’s body, supported the state’s case.
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Evelyn Boswell’s Disappearance
The case captured national attention in February 2020 when Evelyn’s grandfather reported her missing. An Amber Alert was issued, sparking a massive search. During the investigation, Boswell gave numerous media interviews, each time providing conflicting and evolving accounts of her daughter’s whereabouts. The search ended tragically on March 11, 2020, when Evelyn’s remains were discovered in a shed on family property in Blountville. She had not been seen alive since December 2019.
Boswell was indicted on 19 charges in August 2020 and was finally found guilty in February 2024 after years of pre-trial proceedings. Her defense team will first file a motion for a new trial; if that is denied, as expected, they will proceed with an appeal to a higher court.
