A Louisiana woman arrested in connection with the death of a 5-year-old boy found abandoned inside a suitcase in rural Washington County in 2022 will spend 25 years in prison for her role in the child’s murder.

Dawn Elaine Coleman, 41, Shreveport, La., was sentenced Tuesday by Washington Circuit Court Judge Larry Medlock to 30 years with five years suspended to probation.

Coleman entered a plea agreement earlier this month to a Level 1 felony charge of conspiracy to commit murder.

“This crime impacted not only Washington County, but became a nation-wide story,” said Washington County Prosecutor Tara Hunt. “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.”

The child’s identity was a mystery for months, but he was finally determined to be Cairo Jordan, the son of Dejuane Anderson of Atlanta.

Coleman was arrested in October 2022 in California on a warrant issued in Washington County after law enforcement determined she was involved in the child’s disappearance. The investigation revealed Coleman was acquainted with Anderson and the three had stayed in a home together in Louisville. 

A probable cause affidavit states that Coleman admitted to walking into a bedroom of the home where she witnessed Anderson lying on top of the child, who was face down on the bed with his face on the mattress. Coleman told police “It was already done” when she walked in. She said Anderson asked her to help put Cairo in a trash bag and then into the suitcase.

The two then drove to an area outside of Pekin where they dumped the suitcase in a wooded area.

 The suitcase was discovered by a man searching for mushrooms on April 16, 2022. He opened the distinctive “Las Vegas” imprinted suitcase to make a horrifying discovery.

Coleman’s fingerprint was identified on a black plastic bag containing the child’s body.

Following her arrest last year, Coleman told police she had known Anderson for about a year and had traveled extensively with her and Cairo.

Anderson remains at large and will be charged with murder when she is located and arrested.

“We are committed to following this case through until the end,” said Prosecutor Hunt. “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.”

Anderson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. 

The Republican candidates in the City of Salem General Election swept all seven offices with nearly 80 percent of voters today supporting the GOP. 

Even with a “Chamber of Commerce” type of day with temperatures in the 70s and no rain — only 26.79 percent of registered voters voted. That’s just 1,113 voters out of a total of 4,154.

There was a Republican-only primary in May due to only one Democratic candidate on the ballot. Other Democratic candidates came on board once the filing opened for the fall election back in the summer. 

Republican Mayor Justin Green received 71 percent of the vote to win re-election, defeating Democratic candidate William Ackerman for the second time since the 2019 election.  Tommy Brown III was the first Libertarian candidate for Mayor in Salem’s history and received only 6.04 percent of the vote. 

Green received 788 votes or 71.06 percent of the vote. Ackerman pulled 22.9 percent of the vote or 254 votes. Brown III received just 67 votes. 

Republican Clerk-Treasurer Incumbent Sally Hattabaugh outpaced her Democratic opponent Erin Bontrager, 3-1, capturing 826 votes or 74.95 percent. 

Bontrager received 276 votes or 25.05 percent.

City Council At-Large Republican Candidate Roger Pennington received 76.43 percent or 840 votes and won over Democratic challenger Julie Thixton, who took 259 votes or 23.57 percent.

District One Councilman Danny Libka won re-election and was returned to the chair for a fourth term. Libra won with 169 votes or 75.45 percent. He defeated Democratic candidate Billy Thompson, who received 55 votes. 

Dylan Moore won the City Council District 2 seat with 164 votes or 64.57 percent. Paul Holsapple, who was the only Democratic name that would have been on the Primary ballot, received 74 votes or 29.13 percent. Libertarian candidate Tina Ransom, received 16 votes. 

Republican Incumbent Steve Crane was returned to the District 3 seat with 194 votes or 65.99 percent. Democratic challenger Mia Leonard received 100 votes or 34.01 percent. 

Republican Randy Lee Jr. received 225 to win the District 4 seat. Democratic candidate Renee Mather received 100 votes or 30.77 percent. 

Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey said the results would be given to the county election board on November 17 to be made official.

“It’s been a long day and a long week,” said Rockey. “We’re excited to get the results wrapped up and to the state. It’s been a smooth day.”

“It was a little bit lower turnout than 2019,” said Rockey. “We had a turnout of 30.7 for the City of Salem election back then. There were 4,368 registered voters. We had 1,341 turn out to vote.”

Rockey said there were 4,154 registered voters in Salem today — a drop of 214 voters since the last election. 

“Of the early voting, we had 164 mail in, walk in and travel boards. There were 949 people who voted today for a total of 1,113 votes,” said Rockey. 

What the winners had to say:
Justin Green — “We had a good turnout. Very reflective of our community. Thanks to all the voters. Thanks to those who came out. Looking through this we are seeing a very well-placed city administration for 2024. So many things take a team and a group effort. It’s very important to bounce those things off each other. We certainly have a goal, which is the best things for our residents and our community. Very pleased with this team. Very fortunate to have everyone working together.”

Roger Pennington – “I’m just very humbled and honored. I’m very overwhelmed with the response. I’ve got to meet a lot of people. I think our best days are ahead of us. Very optimistic and want the best for our community.”

Dylan Moore – “I really wanted the District 2 seat having been caucused in earlier to fill the at-large seat. A  lot of things on the agenda…..a lot of new things coming. A lot of new updates and offerings for our employees. There will be some growing pains, but we are moving in the right direction.”

Danny Libka – “I’ll be starting a fourth term. I’d like to say that I’m extremely grateful to the people who have faith in me. I try to think with my heart. Anytime someone gives me a call, the next call I’ll make is to the mayor. I’m very thankful for the “No Negative” campaigning that was done.”

Sally Hattabaugh – “Very grateful to our community and those who voted. I don’t think people realize what type of job it is to keep track of the funds for the city. And it is a large budget that has to be controlled. That is one of the major functions of my job.” 

An Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction team is investigating a fatal crash on the I-65 southbound off-ramp to Memphis Blue Lick Road in Clark County.  

Just before 5:30 Wednesday morning, a 911 caller reported that a semi-truck had rear-ended another semi-truck on the off-ramp from I-65 southbound onto Memphis Blue Lick Road in Memphis, Indiana.  When officers and first responders arrived on the scene, they found the driver of a black 2017 Volvo semi-truck entrapped in his cab. The driver had a head injury and was later flown to University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville.  A female passenger in the sleeper of the same truck was entrapped and was also unresponsive.  Once recovered from the wreckage, the passenger was pronounced deceased.

After the initial investigation, officers believe three semi-trucks with trailers were parked on the right emergency lane of the off-ramp.  A fourth semi-truck, the black 2017 Volvo, was southbound on I-65 and exiting onto the same ramp.  For an unknown reason, the Volvo traveled off the right side of the exit lane and clipped the front end of the first parked semi.  The Volvo then continued off the right side of the off-ramp and collided with the rear of a second parked truck and trailer.  As the black Volvo continued forward, it lifted and traveled underneath the trailer of the second truck until it collided with the rear of the second tractor and came to rest.  The collision also pushed the second tractor into the rear of a third parked truck and trailer.  The driver of the second tractor sustained non-life-threatening injuries. He was transported to University Hospital by ground ambulance.  

The off-ramp remained closed to traffic until approximately 1 p.m. Wednesday.  No names have been released as officers continue the investigation and seek to make family notifications.  

The crash reconstruction team consisted of Trooper Tate Rohlfing and Trooper Benjamin Davis from the Sellersburg Post as well as Trooper Matthew Holly from ISP Versailles. 

The Tri-Township Fire Department and Furnish Towing assisted in the crash.