- Nola Dinkins’ mother reported her kidnapped before her remains were found in a suitcase
- Her mother Darrian Randle was arrested on murder charges
- Randle’s boyfriend Cedrick Antoine Britten has been arrested on child abuse charges
Authorities in Maryland arrested a man on child abuse charges nearly a month after his girlfriend’s child’s body was found inside a suitcase.
Three-year-old Nola Dinkens’ mother Darrian Randle reported her kidnapped on June 10, the Maryland State Police said in a statement the following day.
After an Amber Alert was issued, law enforcement officials were dispatched to Randle’s last known address in North East, Md., where they encountered her boyfriend, 41-year-old Cedrick Antoine Britten, per the statement.
Investigators found indication of “potential criminal activity” and soon located human remains in a vacant lot in North East, Md., the statement said.
MSP confirmed to PEOPLE on Friday, July 11, that the remains have been positively identified as those of Nola.
Randle was arrested after the initial investigation on charges of first and second-degree murder and first degree of child abuse resulting in death of a minor under thirteen, among other offenses, MSP said in their statement.
Britten was charged with accessory to first- and second-degree murder after the fact and failure to report child death, among other related criminal charges.
According to online court records reviewed by PEOPLE, Britten was arrested on those charges on Wednesday, July 2.
During the initial investigation, Britten allegedly drew a map for officers that led them to Nola’s body, which police found inside a suitcase, according to charging documents cited by WBAL-TV.
Nola was emaciated and her body had been “completely wrapped in Saran Wrap,” WBAL-TV and NBC 10 reported, citing the charging document and officials, respectively.
Randle allegedly admitted to beating Nola with a belt on June 9 at Britten’s home until the child was unconscious, according to court documents cited by NBC 10 and WBAL-TV.
She allegedly told investigators the couple then drove around with Nola’s body before returning to the residence and putting her body inside a suitcase, which they left on the basement stairs, per police, according to the documents.
The following day, Randle allegedly told police Britten helped her dispose of the child’s body.
A GoFundMe has been set up by Nola’s father to help arrange her funeral and assist with associated costs.
Britten is facing 11 charges related to Nola’s death, including child abuse resulting in death, child abuse, child neglect and accessory to murder after the fact.
Online court records did not indicate plea and attorney information for him.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
