The long-awaited trial of Megan Boswell, accused of murdering her 15-month-old daughter, Evelyn Boswell, began Monday, February 5, 2025, with the selection of a jury to determine the woman’s involvement in the tragic death of her child. Evelyn’s death in 2020 made national headlines, triggering a days-long search for the missing toddler before investigators ultimately discovered her body, leading to Boswell’s arrest.
The Disappearance and Investigation Timeline
The investigation into Evelyn’s disappearance began in February 2020 when Megan Boswell reported her daughter missing. On February 18, 2020, Boswell claimed that Evelyn had been missing since December 2019. That same day, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) issued an AMBER Alert, spurring a massive search for the child.
The search soon revealed inconsistencies in Boswell’s statements, which further raised suspicion. On February 21, 2020, Sullivan County Sheriff Jeff Cassidy revealed that Boswell’s story about Evelyn’s disappearance had been changing. Conflicting reports surfaced, with some saying Evelyn had been last seen on December 26, 2019, while a babysitter claimed to have seen her on December 10 or 11. Sheriff Cassidy described Boswell’s behavior as deceptive, saying that her account did not align with the evidence gathered, including video footage and eyewitness testimony.
Later that same day, Boswell gave an interview to local news, claiming she knew who had taken her daughter but did not want to tip them off to the police. She said, “I knew the person who had her, and I didn’t want them to run away with her.” This public statement only deepened the confusion surrounding Evelyn’s disappearance.
The investigation took another turn when, on February 21, authorities identified a gray BMW connected to the case and found it in North Carolina. Two people, including Evelyn’s grandmother, Angela Boswell, were arrested in connection with the stolen vehicle.
The Search Intensifies
In the days following Evelyn’s reported disappearance, Megan Boswell made several public statements that drew more attention to her involvement. On February 24, she told a local news station that her mother, Angela Boswell, had taken Evelyn to a campground in Mendota, Virginia. Despite this tip, a search of the area came up empty. The inconsistencies in Boswell’s statements were becoming increasingly apparent.
By February 25, after a week of confusion and misleading information, Boswell was arrested and charged with false reporting. Despite being held on a $25,000 bond, Evelyn’s whereabouts remained unknown.
The investigation expanded to include several locations, including property owned by a family member of William McCloud, Evelyn’s grandmother’s boyfriend. On February 26, investigators conducted a search near a pond in Wilkes County, North Carolina, but the search yielded no concrete results.
Discovery of Evelyn’s Remains
The turning point in the case came on March 6, 2020, when the TBI announced that investigators had found human remains believed to be Evelyn’s on a property linked to the Boswell family. The remains, found in a wooded area on Muddy Creek Road, were clothed in similar attire to what Evelyn had reportedly been wearing. Megan Boswell’s bond was subsequently increased to $150,000.
The Cause of Death and Charges
As the investigation continued, it was revealed that the cause of Evelyn’s death was asphyxiation. Forensic expert Dr. Darinka Mileusnic-Polchan testified in September 2022 that the toddler had died from asphyxia due to four separate instances of suffocation. This revelation cemented the suspicion that Evelyn’s death had been a deliberate act of murder.
On August 19, 2020, Megan Boswell was formally charged with two counts of felony murder in connection with her daughter’s death. These charges came after months of investigation, during which authorities determined that Boswell had knowingly provided false and conflicting information, wasting valuable time in the search for Evelyn.
Evelyn’s Law and Legal Reforms
In response to Evelyn’s case, the Tennessee state legislature passed “Evelyn’s Law,” which mandates that parents report missing children within 24 hours. The law went into effect on July 1, 2021, seeking to prevent other families from experiencing the same prolonged uncertainty and tragic loss.
The Trial and the Future
Now, as the trial begins, the jury must decide whether Megan Boswell is guilty of murder in the death of her daughter. The case has continued to attract public attention due to its harrowing details and the ongoing mystery surrounding the mother’s actions.
As the trial progresses, the question remains: what was Megan Boswell’s role in the death of Evelyn Boswell, and will justice be served for the young girl whose life was tragically cut short? Only time will tell as the legal process plays out in the coming weeks.
