Episode 27: The Murder of Toddler Evan Dudley
EPISODE 27: The Murder of 21-month old Evan Dudley
In 2012, single mother and Air Force Staff Sergeant, Nicole Dudley, was tasked with a 6-month deployment to Qatar. It pained her to leave her then 16-month old son, Evan “E.J.” Dudley, back home, but she was determined to continue serving her country while being a mom.
Nicole left to Qatar and left her son in the care of his Godparents, whom Nicole trusted. But Nicole didn’t want to burden the couple the entire time, so she recruited a fellow Staff Sergeant, Justin Corbett, and his wife, Aubrey, to occasionally take E.J. for a few hours to give the Godparents a break.
About two weeks before Nicole’s impending return back to the U.S., E.J. was scheduled to stay with the Corbett’s for a few days while his Godparents went out of town. E.J. stayed with them for a few days and everything went well, until Justin made a tragic call – E.J. had fallen down 8 carpeted steps and was in dire need of help.
The resulting death and then investigation into the death of Evan Dudley resulted in a confusing verdict and even more confusing sentence. Join me as I tell you the tragic story of baby boy Evan.
Evan Dudley
Image found here.
Evan “E.J.” Dudley
Image found here.
Former Air Force Staff Sergeant Justin Corbett
Image found here.
Resources: Episode 27
- Jerry Smith, Delaware Online, “Ex-Airman Gets 18 Months’ Probation in Toddler’s Death,” September 16, 2016, https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/crime/2016/09/15/former-airman-faces-sentencing-toddlers-death/90400506/ (last accessed on 16 Apr 20).
- Cris Barrish, The News Journal, “A Mother’s Pain and Pursuit of Justice,” September 18, 2016, https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2016/09/16/death-of-evan-dudley/90445510/ (last accessed on 16 Apr 20).
- The News Journal, “Ex-Airman: Baby’s Death an Accident,” March 22, 2014, https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/crime/2014/03/21/ex-airmans-bail-reduced-in-baby-murder-case/6688725/ (last accessed on 16 Apr 20).
- AP, “Former Dover Airman On Trial in Death of Toddler,” July 12, 2016, https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2016/07/12/former-dover-airman-trial-death-toddler/86981302/ (last accessed on 16 Apr 20).
- https://www.dover.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2000311034/ (picture of Corbett in clown costume)
- Greg Guidone, 47ABC, “UPDATE: Graphic Details Emerge in Corbett Trial,” July 21, 2016, https://www.wmdt.com/2016/07/update-graphic-details-emerge-in-corbett-trial/ (last accessed on 16 Apr 20).
- “Justice for Evan: Convicted Murderer Deserves Maximum Sentence for Brutal Child Assault,” https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-evan-convicted-murderer-deserves-maximum-sentence-for-brutal-child-assault (last accessed on 16 Apr 20).
- Randall Chase, AP News, Daily Herald, “Former Airman Gets Probation in Toddler’s Death,” https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160915/news/309159748 (last accessed on 16 Apr 20).
- Kathy Haan, Idyllic Pursuit, “A Mother’s Worst Nightmare: Airman’s Toddler Murdered While Deployed,” https://www.idyllicpursuit.com/toddler-murdered-while-deployed-evan-dudley/ (last accessed on 16 Apr 20).