Louisiana Woman Sentenced in Connection with Death of 5-Year-Old Boy Found in Suitcase in Southern Indiana

SALEM, Ind. - In a shocking case that garnered national attention, a Louisiana woman has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for her involvement in the death of 5-year-old Cairo Ammar Jordan. The boy's body was discovered last year in a suitcase in a wooded area in southern Indiana.

Dawn Elaine Coleman, 41, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced by a Washington County judge to 30 years in prison, with five years suspended to probation. She pleaded guilty to a Level 1 felony charge of conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Cairo's death. Under Indiana code, Coleman must serve more than 18 years of her sentence, as Level 1 felony offenders are required to serve 75% of their sentence.

Cairo's body was found inside a suitcase in a remote wooded area about 35 miles northwest of Louisville, Kentucky, in April 2022. An autopsy revealed that he died from vomiting and diarrhea, which ultimately led to dehydration, according to Indiana State Police. Investigators determined that Cairo had died about a week or less before a mushroom hunter stumbled upon his body in a hard suitcase adorned with a distinct Las Vegas design.

During a memorial service held last June, a police chaplain referred to the unidentified child as an "unknown angel." Cairo was subsequently laid to rest at a cemetery in Salem, Indiana. The authorities finally released Cairo's name after announcing that he had been identified and that Coleman, along with Cairo's mother, Dejuane Ludie Anderson, were suspects in his death.

Despite the progress in the case, Anderson, a resident of Atlanta, remains at large. A felony murder arrest warrant was issued for her in November 2022. Meanwhile, investigators discovered that Coleman and Anderson were acquainted, and the two women had been living together with Cairo in a home in Louisville.

Authorities alleged that Coleman assisted Anderson in disposing of Cairo's body in April 2022. The heinous crime not only impacted Washington County but also caught the attention of the nation. County Prosecutor Tara Hunt expressed her sentiments, stating, "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."

In Chicago, where Cairo's family resided, the news of Coleman's sentencing was met with relief, as the justice system acknowledged the severity of her involvement in the murder. Cairo's cause of death, an electrolyte imbalance resulting from gastroenteritis, shed light on the horrifying circumstances leading to his demise and the subsequent efforts made to conceal the crime.

The investigation proved challenging as Cairo had never been reported missing, which hindered the identification process for months. However, with the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Indiana authorities were able to contact Cairo's father after confirming the boy's identity.

The case unfolded as police discovered both Coleman's and Anderson's fingerprints on black plastic bags found inside the suitcase containing Cairo's body. Coleman confessed to authorities that she had walked into a bedroom of their shared home in Louisville and witnessed Anderson lying on top of Cairo, who was face down on the bed. Coleman claimed that "it was already done" when she entered the room, and Anderson asked for her help in placing Cairo into a trash bag and then into the suitcase.

The horrifying details of Cairo's death and the subsequent attempts to dispose of his body shocked the community and the nation at large. This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of children and the gravity of responsibility that lies with those entrusted with their care. As the search for Dejuane Ludie Anderson continues, the hope for justice for Cairo remains steadfast.