LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One of the two women accused in the death of 5-year-old Cairo Jordan was sentenced to 25 years in prison and 5 years of probation.
Cairo's death shocked a small town in Washington County, Indiana, after a mushroom hunter found Cairo's body stuffed in a Las Vegas-style suitcase in the middle of the woods in April 2022.
Judge Larry Medlock was emotional as he spoke to Coleman during her sentencing on Tuesday. “You packaged Cairo like trash,” he said. “He was an innocent little boy who wanted to be love."
On Nov. 3, Dawn Coleman pleaded guilty to helping the boy's mom, Dejaune Anderson, kill him and hide his body. As part of Coleman's plea agreement, she will need to testify against Anderson in any criminal case related to Cairo's death.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Coleman told investigators she walked into a bedroom of the trio's Louisville home and found Anderson lying on top of the child. Cairo was face down on the bed, she said, adding that, "it was already done."
Coleman told police that Anderson then asked her to "help put Cairo in a trash bag and then into the suitcase."
Her fingerprints were later identified on the trash bag containing Cairo's body, police said.
Washington County Prosecutor Tara Hunt said Cairo's story impacted people far beyond southern Indiana.
"The victim in this case was an innocent child who was barely five years old. It's always tragic when a child's life is taken. It's incomprehensible when those who should be caring for the child are responsible."
"You still have a life, but Cairo Jordan’s is gone," Medlock added.
Where is Cairo's mother?
Coleman was arrested in October 2022. Authorities found her in the San Francisco area, however a nationwide manhunt for Cairo's mother, Dejuane Anderson, remains ongoing.
Anderson is described as being about 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 135 pounds. She had short, dark brown hair in her last known photo, but she is known to often wear wigs or hair extensions.
MUGSHOTS | Dejaune Anderson, Cairo Jordan's mother, is still on the run
Authorities say Anderson was last seen in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles, California; however, she is known to travel and her last known locations include San Francisco and San Diego in California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Louisville, Kentucky; and Houston, Texas.
Anyone who sees Anderson, or knows of her whereabouts at this time, is asked to contact their local police department with that information.
Hunt promises they will continue following the case through the end.
"None of the law enforcement officers and agencies involved in this sad case will find closure until we have ensured Cairo’s mother is held accountable for her actions," she said. "This conviction is only the first step in obtaining justice for Cairo."
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