A Delaware mother, Darrian Randle, is in custody after allegedly lying to authorities about the kidnapping of her 3-year-old daughter, Nola Dinkins.
The fabricated story led to the issuance of an Amber Alert, but an investigation quickly uncovered the truth. The case has taken a darker turn, with Maryland State Police now involved in a homicide investigation.
The False Kidnapping Report
On June 10, officers with the New Castle County Police responded to a reported kidnapping on Gender Road. Randle claimed that she pulled over to comfort her daughter, who had become upset, when an unknown man, armed with a gun, approached the vehicle. According to Randle’s story, the man abducted Dinkins and fled in an SUV with a female driver.
Authorities issued an Amber Alert for the missing child, launching a full investigation to locate Dinkins. However, detectives soon found inconsistencies in Randle’s statement, and further questioning led to the discovery that the kidnapping was entirely fabricated.
The Mother’s Confession
In a criminal complaint obtained by WPVI-TV, Randle admitted to fabricating the abduction story. She confessed that she had made up the story in an effort to divert attention away from her boyfriend. Her motive for falsely reporting the kidnapping remains unclear, but her actions triggered a massive law enforcement response.
Discovery of a Body and Homicide Investigation
As Maryland State Police took over the case, they discovered a body in Cecil County, Maryland, during the course of the kidnapping investigation. At the time of this update, authorities were awaiting positive identification of the body, but the case has now shifted from a possible kidnapping to a homicide investigation.
The discovery of the body has shocked the community, and Maryland State Police are working to connect the dots between Randle’s false report and the body found in Cecil County. As the investigation continues, officials are now considering whether Randle’s actions played a role in the tragedy.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Randle has been charged with one count of felony falsely reporting a crime, a serious offense that carries significant legal consequences. She is being held at the Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution with a $1 million bond.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the homicide, and the case is expected to evolve as more details emerge. Randle’s false report has led to significant resources being allocated to search for her daughter, who was ultimately not kidnapped. Her actions have raised concerns about the consequences of making false reports to law enforcement.
Community Reactions and Ongoing Investigation
The community remains in shock over the case, especially with the tragic discovery of a body linked to the investigation. As the investigation progresses, the primary focus will be on determining the identity of the body and the circumstances surrounding the death. Officials are working to uncover any further connections between the homicide and Randle’s false kidnapping report.