A Maryland courtroom fell silent this week as a detective replayed the moment a mother calmly described killing her own daughter — using a word that made it sound almost routine.
Darrian Randle, 32, is standing trial for the murder of her 3-year-old daughter, Nola Dinkins. Nola’s body was discovered on June 11, 2025 — stuffed inside a suitcase, dumped near a community park in North East, Maryland. The day before, Randle had called police to report her own daughter “kidnapped.” Investigators say it took them very little time to figure out the story was a lie.
On Wednesday, New Castle County Detective Daniel Elwood took the stand. Prosecutors played the video of his interrogation with Randle — and what jurors heard next was devastating.
Randle had a name for beating her daughter with a belt. She called it a “pow pow.” According to testimony, these beatings — carried out with a belt, her bare hands, and at least once with a slipper — were a regular form of punishment whenever Nola didn’t listen or told a lie. The little girl was three years old.
On the night of June 9, 2025, Randle allegedly admitted she went too far. She beat Nola 15 to 20 times with a belt until the child fell unconscious. Nola never woke up.
Randle called her boyfriend, 44-year-old Cedrick Britten, who rushed over and attempted CPR. It was already too late. Instead of calling 911, the two wrapped Nola’s small body in Saran Wrap and shoved her into a suitcase. Then, according to investigators, they went out and ate Chinese food.
“She took her punishment too far and lost control.” — Randle’s alleged statement to detectives
The following day, Randle asked Britten to get rid of the suitcase. He drove to Perryville Community Park, dropped it, photographed the location, and sent the picture to Randle — as if it were a task to be checked off a list. When police closed in, Britten drew investigators a map straight to where Nola’s body lay.
What Happens Next: Randle now faces 11 charges including first- and second-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death, and eight additional felonies. Britten faces accessory to murder charges. The trial is ongoing — and prosecutors say the video confession may be the most damning piece of evidence they have.
Nola Dinkins was three years old. She deserved protection, safety, and love. What she got instead is now being told, piece by devastating piece, in a courtroom — and the whole country is watching.
