The mother accused of murdering her five-year-old son, whose body was found in a suitcase, will now face trial in Jefferson County, Kentucky, after the Indiana case was dismissed. Dejaune Anderson, previously charged in Washington County, Indiana, has been indicted by a Jefferson County grand jury on numerous charges, including murder, manslaughter, and abuse of a corpse, following the discovery of her son Cairo Jordan's remains in April 2022. This indictment was reported by WAVE 3 News.
The tragic case has experienced several delays due to Anderson's mental health and competency concerns. She was arrested on March 15, 2024, approximately two years after Cairo's body was found by a mushroom hunter in rural Washington County. Since her arrest, Anderson has claimed to be a "Princess" and alluded to being followed by the U.S. Space Force, according to details from WDRB. A psychiatric evaluation has since found her competent to stand trial.
The venue change from Indiana to Kentucky was a strategic legal decision to prevent any future technicalities from potentially overturning a conviction. Washington County Prosecutor Tara Coats Hunt explained in a Facebook post, "Although Washington County has been fully prepared to prosecute this case, shifting jurisdiction ensures the strongest legal foundation." This statement was also highlighted by FOX59, adding that the move was made after "extensive legal analysis."
Aiding in the case is Dawn Coleman, who previously admitted to helping Anderson dispose of Cairo's body and has agreed to testify against her former friend. Coleman's guilty plea to conspiracy to commit murder resulted in a sentence of 30 years in prison, with five years being suspended to probation. As the trial preparations continue, Anderson is set to appear in court in Jefferson County for next Monday with a significant $500,000 bond already established, as reported by WDRB.
