One-and-a-half-year-old Luke Evans, adopted by Steven and Natalie Fabian Evans, died of massive head injuries, shaken baby syndrome, and poor nutrition. Natalie Fabian Evans, stated that she couldn't wake Luke one morning and so placed him in a tub of water to "stimulate him" where she says he may have bumped his head on the tub. The authorities took a year to investigate the case. Luke was adopted from Inozemtsevo, Stavropol, Russia and had been in the US for 6 months prior to his death. Luke had a brother Alec 3, who was adopted at the same time as him.
On June 30, 2006 Natalie Fabian Evans was found not guilty.
Date: 2001-11-30
Placement type: Adoption
Type of abuse: Lethal physical abuse
Abuser: Adoptive mother, Undetermined
Location
Lowell, Indiana
United States
| Document | Date |
|---|
| TFR promises to punish those responsible for the deaths of Americans orphans from Russia | 2013-02-21 |
| Child Maltreatment, Child Abuse Fatalities Among Internationally Adopted Children | 2007-11-01 |
| Jury: Mom not guilty in death; Natalie Evans, accused of killing 16-month-old son, acquitted of all charges | 2006-07-01 |
| Mom tells jury about day her son died; Natalie Evans testifies adopted son didn't bond with those around him | 2006-06-30 |
| Mom innocent in baby's death | 2006-06-30 |
| Mother recalls death of son: 'Oh my God, wake up' | 2006-06-30 |
| Natalie Fabian Evans testifies in her murder trial | 2006-06-30 |
| Expert disputes brain injury allegations | 2006-06-29 |
| Friends back mom on trial; Evans sought assistance to address developmental challenges of adopted son. | 2006-06-28 |
| 'Hard on children,' dad says; Toddler's adoptive dad testifies against former wife accused of murder | 2006-06-27 |
| Cousin testifies against Evans; Woman's ex co-worker said she asked her to take child before his death. | 2006-06-24 |
| Doctor: Baby's death a 'textbook' case | 2006-06-23 |
| Boy's medical history, final hours recounted; Woman's relationship with adoptive son focus at trial | 2006-06-22 |
| Munster woman on trial for death of toddler; Authorities allege Luke Evans, 16 months, died of shaken baby syndrome. | 2006-06-20 |
| Abuse, deaths, prompt Russian to adopt new rules | 2006-06-04 |
| Trial in infant's death delayed; Cedar Creek Township woman accused of murder; son had been adopted. | 2005-04-10 |
| Trial reset for Munster woman | 2005-04-06 |
| Adoptee deaths rare, experts say 12 Russian cases troubling, puzzling | 2004-05-21 |
| Questions raised in death of toddler; Other cases of abuse involving adopted Russian children: | 2002-12-23 |