The mother of 3-year-old Nola Dinkins, who prompted an Amber Alert in Delaware due to her disappearance, has been charged with murder. Darrian Randle, 31, is facing multiple charges including first- and second-degree murder and first-degree child abuse resulting in the death of a minor. These charges were announced by state police during a press conference on Wednesday night.
In addition, Randle’s boyfriend, Cedrick Britten, 44, has been charged as an accessory to the crime and is accused of failing to report a child’s death, among other offenses. He is currently in police custody in Maryland. The charges followed the discovery of a body around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday in a deserted lot in Cecil County, during the ongoing search for Dinkins. While the identity of the remains has not been confirmed, authorities have reported they are consistent with that of a child, with positive identification pending autopsy results.
According to police, Randle initially reported that her daughter had been kidnapped at gunpoint, a claim she later admitted was false. She allegedly fabricated the kidnapping details to divert attention from her boyfriend. Randle’s arrest follows an extensive search that began when Nola was reported missing on Tuesday night. The Amber Alert was later lifted on Wednesday morning as the investigation unfolded.
Randle’s bail has been set at $1 million, and she awaits extradition to Cecil County for prosecution. The case has deeply affected the community, raising concerns over child safety and drawing attention to the critical nature of accurate reporting during such emergencies. Authorities are urging anyone with knowledge of the case to reach out with information.
This tragic situation highlights the critical need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable children and the gravity of parental responsibility in their well-being.