Courts

Protesters gather near La Crosse Courthouse, seeking justice for 6-year-old who died of abuse

Published

2 years ago

May 30, 2023

Posters reacting to the abuse death of 6-year-old Alexavier Pedrin are displayed near the La Crosse Courthouse on May 30, 2023. (PHOTO: Brad Williams)

‘Justice for Alexavier’ was the message during a protest outside the La Crosse County courthouse Tuesday passed along by relatives and friends of a 6-year-old boy, who died after physical abuse.

They held up signs in memory of Alexavier Pedrin, the boy who died last winter at a house in Medary.

The suspect in his death, Josie Dikeman of Onalaska, was charged with murder and repeated child abuse in her first court appearance last week. She is due back in court on Wednesday.

Dikeman’s bond on the homicide charge was set at $1 million.

Pedrin’s family worries that Dikeman might be let out of jail before she could go to trial.

Posters reacting to the abuse death of 6-year-old Alexavier Pedrin are displayed near the La Crosse Courthouse on May 30, 2023. (PHOTO: Brad Williams)

Brad Williams

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.