A mother in California was arrested on Thursday, nearly two years following the tragic death of her 5-year-old son, who was found deceased inside a novelty suitcase in the woods of Indiana.
Dejaune Anderson was apprehended in Arcadia, a suburb located outside Los Angeles, on various charges including murder related to the passing of Cairo Jordan, as announced by the Indiana State Police on Friday.
In late 2022, authorities discovered Cairo’s body within a “distinctive Las Vegas-themed hard-shell suitcase” in southern Indiana. Despite the discovery in April, several months passed before investigators could identify the body or any suspects linked to Cairo’s demise.
During this period, no family members, witnesses, or acquaintances came forward to provide information regarding Cairo’s identity or the circumstances surrounding his death. Despite efforts from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and tips from the public, leads remained elusive.
An autopsy disclosed that Cairo had passed away only days prior to the discovery of his body, succumbing to dehydration induced by vomiting and diarrhea.
Although Anderson had been identified as a suspect, she remained at large with her whereabouts unknown. However, Dawn Elaine Coleman, who had resided with Cairo and his mother, was arrested for her involvement in the case.
According to details from an arrest affidavit referenced by Georgia news station 11Alive, Coleman had encountered Anderson lying on top of Cairo, who was face down. Allegedly, Anderson had requested Coleman’s assistance in placing her son in a trash bag and subsequently into a suitcase before driving to the woods in Indiana.
Leading up to Cairo’s tragic demise, Anderson had posted on social media about her child purportedly being possessed by demons, as reported by 11Alive.
Upon the identification of Cairo’s body, his father expressed profound grief, stating that words could not adequately convey the pain he endured. Despite residing in Georgia, Cairo’s father acknowledged the overwhelming support received from the community in Indiana, who regarded Cairo as part of their own family.
Anderson remained evasive until Indiana authorities received critical information from a concerned citizen, leading to her apprehension while attempting to board a train. Alongside the charge of murder, Anderson faces accusations of neglect of a dependent resulting in death and obstruction of justice. The timeline for her extradition back to Indiana remains unclear.
