Bond set at $1 million for Onalaska woman charged with murder of 6-year-old boy

Blunt force trauma and toxic effects of a drug are cited as the causes of a 6-year-old boy’s death in Medary early this year.

Alexavier Pedrin’s death on Feb. 11 is considered a homicide.

Caretaker Josie Dikeman of Onalaska was charged with murder and repeated child abuse in her first court appearance Monday, with several spectators at the La Crosse County hearing wearing red shirts bearing the message “Justice for Alexavier.”

La Crosse County Sheriff John Siegel said experts from several states were consulted during the investigation.

“We still have some work to do on this case,” Siegel told reporters. “As you can imagine, investigators have worked continuously since that morning in February on this incident.”

The child died after multiple injuries to his body.

According to the autopsy, the boy had severe injuries to his head, neck, and other parts of his body. He also had been given Xanax pills.

La Crosse County Judge Ramona Gonzalez set Dikeman’s bond at $1 million cash. Her next court appearance is May 31.

Dikeman is also charged with repeated physical abuse of a child, and chronic neglect leading to death.

After Dikeman’s initial hearing, Pedrin’s grandmother, Cheryl Anderson, spoke with reporters.

“I’m absolutely excited that she got a $1 million bond, and she’ll be behind bars,” Anderson said. “No other child can get hurt at this moment.”