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Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, INDIANA: Dawn Elaine Coleman, 41, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced to 25 years in jail by Washington Circuit Court Judge Larry Medlock for her role in the death of Cairo Ammar Jordan, a five-year-old Atlanta boy.
The Indiana judge sentenced Coleman to 30 years in prison, with the final five years deferred to probation. On November 7, she pleaded guilty to the conspiracy to commit murder and admitted to her role in the child's death.
Jordan's mother, Dejuane Anderson, who police believe is primarily responsible for the five-year-old's death, remains at large. She also faces charges of neglect of a dependent and obstruction of justice.
Who is Dawn Elaine Coleman?
On Tuesday, November 21, Dawn Coleman was sentenced for her role in the death of Cairo Jordan, who was found in a suitcase in southern Indiana in April 2022. She was charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death and obstruction of justice.
Coleman and Jordan's mother, Dejuane Anderson, had known one other for almost a year and had traveled extensively with each other. The three had been staying together in a residence in Louisville, Kentucky, according to Indiana Police.
An affidavit revealed disturbing Facebook messages that Anderson posted about her son being a "demonic child" and talking about an exorcism.
Coleman told investigators that she witnessed Anderson on top of Jordan while his face was down on a mattress, and that by then he was dead. The two women then proceeded to put the boy's lifeless body in a suitcase after wrapping him in plastic bags.
She also told investigators about carrying the suitcase into the woods of Washington County and leaving it there.
On April 26, 2022, a mushroom hunter discovered the suitcase in which the five-year-old's body was discarded. Both Anderson's and Coleman's fingerprints were found on the black plastic bag that contained his body.
In October 2022, Coleman was arrested in San Francisco.
According to Indiana State Police, the autopsy revealed that the child died from an electrolyte imbalance caused by gastroenteritis, or vomiting and diarrhea that led to dehydration.
The child is said to have died about a week before his body was discovered by the investigations, as per CBS News.
What did Judge Larry Medlock say during Dawn Elaine Coleman's sentencing?
On Tuesday, Dawn Elaine Coleman was met with an emotional statement from Washington Circuit Court Judge Larry Medlock. Community members attended the court hearing, with one wearing a shirt with a picture of Jordan on it.
There were no members of his family present at the sentencing.
During the hearing, Judge Medlock said to Coleman, "You packaged Cairo up like trash…and dumped him like garbage. You chose not to stop it, not to call the authorities."
Addressing the comments made by Jordan's mother on social media about her child being possessed by demons, Medlock told Coleman, "The devil is in you."
"The walls of your jail cell for the next 25 years will be nothing compared to the walls of that suitcase," concluded Medlock.
Washington County prosecutor Tara Hunt told WAVE, "This crime impacted not only Washington County but became a nationwide story. The victim in this case was an innocent child who was barely 5 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."
She continued, "We are committed to following this case through until 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. This conviction is only the first step in obtaining justice for Cairo," asserted Hunt.
