Maryland/Delaware – In a deeply disturbing and tragic case, 31-year-old D. Randle has been charged with murder after authorities say she beat her 3-year-old daughter, Nola, to death and concealed her body in a suitcase, later dumping it in a vacant lot.
The horrifying crime, which has left residents of both Delaware and Maryland shaken, gained nationwide attention after Randle initially misled police with a fabricated story of abduction, only to later confess to the brutal murder.
The Tragic Events
The chain of events began on Tuesday, June 4, when Randle called the police claiming that her daughter had been kidnapped at gunpoint by an armed man in Delaware. The call sparked an Amber Alert, sending authorities into a frantic search for the missing child.
However, as detectives questioned Randle and began to piece together the details of her story, they discovered inconsistencies in her account. Within 24 hours, the Amber Alert was canceled, and Randle was taken into custody.
According to charging documents and Randle’s subsequent confession, the tragedy began the previous day, Monday, June 3, when Randle became angry at Nola. She reportedly struck the toddler 15 to 20 times with a belt, and when Nola fell to the ground, she stopped moving.
Randle then attempted to wake her daughter but realized Nola was unresponsive and not breathing. In a chilling turn, Randle called her 44-year-old boyfriend, C. Britten, who attempted CPR but soon concluded that Nola was dead.
Concealment of the Crime
Rather than seeking immediate help, Randle and Britten decided to conceal the crime. Police say they placed Nola’s lifeless body into a car and drove around for a period before returning home.
They then wrapped her body in plastic wrap, stuffed it into a suitcase, and dumped it in a vacant lot in Maryland. Investigators were able to locate the suitcase after interviewing both Randle and Britten. The remains inside, described as those of an “emaciated child,” were confirmed to be Nola’s, validating Randle’s confession.
Family Dynamics and Legal Consequences
The case also revealed a complicated family situation. At the time of Nola’s death, Randle was involved in a custody dispute with Nola’s biological father, who lives in Indiana.
He had previously attempted to block Randle’s plan to relocate with Nola earlier in the year. Randle is currently being held in Delaware and awaits extradition to Maryland, where she faces first-degree murder charges along with several related offenses.
Britten, although not present during the beating, helped cover up the crime. He has been charged with accessory to first- and second-degree murder, failure to report a child’s death, and other offenses.
When police searched his home, they noted a strong odor of cleaning products, particularly bleach, suggesting an attempt to eliminate evidence. Authorities also recovered a blood-stained blanket belonging to the child.
Despite the evidence, Britten was granted bail and is currently under home detention, a decision that has sparked backlash from community members and child welfare advocates.
Investigation and Community Reactions
As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials remain focused on ensuring justice for Nola. “This is one of the most horrific crimes we’ve seen in years,” said an investigator involved in the case. “A young life lost in such a violent, tragic way deserves the full weight of the law.”
Both Randle and Britten are scheduled to make court appearances in the coming weeks. Authorities continue to investigate the full scope of the abuse and death, working to hold all responsible parties accountable.
As the community mourns the loss of a young child, questions linger about how this tragedy could have been prevented and how the system failed to protect Nola.