Authorities accuse a mom from Delaware of fabricating an abduction story about her three-year-old daughter. Police have arrested her and are now charging her with murder.
The New Castle County Police Department has shared a press release regarding the incident. Officers responded to a call at the 500 block of Gender Road about an alleged kidnapping on Tuesday evening at around 7:15 PM. Darrian Randle, 31, told authorities that Nola, her three-year-old child, became upset while they were in the car. Randle explained that she pulled over to comfort her child when a white male with a gun approached. He allegedly reached the vehicle and took Nola. Randle stated that the suspect was not alone and fled the scene in a dark-colored SUV with a white female behind the wheel.
The police department explained that they issued an Amber Alert for the youngster, which prompted an overnight search effort by officers and the FBI. However, during the investigation, authorities concluded that Randle’s account of events was false. The case changed from an abduction to a homicide, and officers handed the investigation over to the Maryland State Police. The press release explains the mom was interviewed at New Castle County Police Headquarters and charged with one count of felony Falsely Reporting.
Authorities Also Arrested Randle’s Boyfriend
According to a report by NBC Philadelphia, investigators have found a body. Elena Russo of the Maryland State Police told the outlet, “At this point, I do not have any identification on the human remains. But they are consistent with those belonging to a child.” They were reportedly found in a vacant lot in Northeast Maryland, although authorities have not revealed the precise location.
Russo also revealed that police arrested a 44-year-old man, Cedric Britton, as an accessory to murder. He was reportedly living in the same house as Randle and Nola and is believed to be the mom’s boyfriend. Russo also told interviewers, “This is a tragic incident, and for everybody involved, the Maryland State Police and all the investigators are working tirelessly to resolve what happened here and why.”
NBC Philadelphia explains that Randle faces charges of first and second-degree murder on top of the false reporting.