NORTH EAST, Md. — A horrifying case has unfolded in Maryland where a mother stands accused of murdering her 3-year-old daughter after reporting her missing. Darrian Randle, 31, was charged with the murder following her confession to authorities that she had beaten the child to death.
The investigation initially began with a suspected kidnapping report in Delaware but soon evolved into a homicide probe after police received Randle’s account. It deepened tragically with the discovery of human remains, believed to be those of the young child, near the home of Randle’s boyfriend.
The remains were found on Wednesday, and the Maryland State Police have since been diligently working to confirm the identity and cause of death through the medical examiner’s office. The child in question, Nola Dinkins, was only three years old.
Living with her daughter in Cecil County, Randle initially misled authorities with a tale of abduction by a white couple, a story that crumbled under police interrogation. It was through this intensified scrutiny that Randle admitted to using a belt to discipline her daughter, a punishment that turned fatal when the child became unresponsive. Attempts at CPR were futile, leading to the child’s heartbreaking demise.
Further implicating herself, Randle revealed that she and her boyfriend, Cedrick Antoine Britten, 44, attempted to conceal Nola’s death. They reportedly placed her body in a suitcase, storing it in Britton’s basement temporarily. The following day, under Randle’s instructions, Britten allegedly moved the suitcase to a local park.
Upon searching Britten’s residence, authorities noticed the distinct smell of bleach and other cleaning supplies. They also found a child’s blanket with suspicious stains inside Britten’s vehicle, which he claimed belonged to someone he knew from a park. When questioned, Britten maintained his composure, attributing it to his military background, during which he had purportedly dealt with human trafficking.
The plot thickened as surveillance footage contradicted Randle’s earlier statements; it showed her leaving their apartment alone, belying her initial abduction claim. This video evidence became a crucial lead in redefining the scope of the investigation.
In the chilling aftermath of discovery, Britten, despite his claims of detachment, was charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder. He has since been released on a $75,000 bond but remains under strict home detention.
As for Randle, she faces daunting legal challenges with major implications. Charged with both first and second-degree murder across multiple jurisdictions, she remains detained on a $1 million bond. Her extradition to Maryland is pending, where she will face the consequences of her grave actions.
This case has left the community and law enforcement grappling with the stark realities of domestic crime and the lengths to which individuals might go to cover up their egregious deeds. As the investigation continues, state authorities are pieced together the exact events that led to the tragic loss of such a young life, leaving behind a trail of sorrow and many lingering questions about motives and justice.