Authorities Receive Report Of Kidnapped Little Girl, Later Arrest Mother For Alleged Murder

Maryland State Police (MSP) apprehended a couple after a woman’s report that her daughter had been kidnapped was found to be false and officers discovered human remains, according to authorities.

Authorities charged North East, Maryland, residents Darrian Randle, 31, and Cedrick Antoine Britten, 44, with murder and other charges, MSP said. Randle allegedly told authorities Tuesday evening that Nola Dinkens, 3, was kidnapped in Delaware, triggering an Amber alert that authorities later canceled.

Randle claimed Tuesday evening that she pulled over to comfort an upset Dinkens when a white male stranger appeared and seized Dinkens at gunpoint, New Castle County Police (NCCP) said Wednesday. A white female in an SUV allegedly whisked away both stranger and child.

Police published an Amber alert and launched an investigation with the FBI. MSP said it assisted in the nightlong investigation. Further information led to police cancelling the amber alert and the NCCP requested that MSP go to Randle’s last available address, according to authorities.

MSP found Britten at the location in North East and, following further probing, recovered “human remains consistent with that of a young child” in an empty lot in the Maryland village, MSP said.

Police arrested Britten and charged him with being an accessory to first- and second-degree murder after the fact, failure to report child death and additional charges, MSP added.

The NCCP arrested Randle in Delaware where she awaits extradition to Maryland to face charges of first- and second-degree murder, first degree of child abuse resulting in death of a minor under thirteen and additional charges, according to the MSP.

MSP spokesperson Elena Russo said Randle, Britten and Dinkens lived in the same residence in North East, according to CBS News. She said the human remains “looked to be of a child” but authorities await an autopsy.

Randle later admitted to investigators that her kidnapping report was false, CBS News reported, citing court documents.

Randle allegedly told investigators that she beat Dinkens some 15–20 times with a belt recently and the girl fell motionless and stopped breathing. After Britten unsuccessfully tried to revive Dinkens, both adults put her in Britten’s car and drove around for some time. according to court documents. They allegedly returned to the residence and Randle asked Britten to take the body away.

The body police discovered appeared to be emaciated and wrapped in cling film, court documents said.

Britten allegedly appeared unmoved when authorities questioned him about the kidnapping allegations. He told police that “he used to be special forces in the military and has dealt with human trafficking before,” according to court records. (RELATED: Authorities Find Three Girls Missing For Days Dead, Launch Manhunt For Man With Extensive Military Training)

Law enforcement allegedly discovered a “child-sized” blanket with a “reddish brown smear consistent with blood” in Britten’s vehicle but the accused denied owning it, claiming that a stranger in a park had given it to him in the summer of 2024.