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.  

On October 31, a single vehicle crash on I-74, just west of Batesville, Indiana, resulted in the death of the driver of the commercial motor vehicle.

At approximately 4:00 am yesterday, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and Batesville Police Department responded to the crash near the 147-mile marker in rural Franklin County, Indiana.  Initial first responders located a tractor trailer that had collided with a bridge support.  The driver of the semi was entrapped in the vehicle and was deceased.  Indiana State Police Crash Reconstructionists were called to the scene to investigate the crash.

The initial investigation indicated a 2017 Peterbilt tractor pulling a trailer, being driven by Osei K. Boateng, age 55, Grove City, Ohio was traveling westbound on I-74.  For an unknown reason, Boateng’s vehicle left the left side of the road, entering the median.  The vehicle then collided with the yellow barricades protecting the Huntersville Road overpass.  Boateng’s vehicle then smashed through the yellow barrels and collided with the concrete bridge support. 

Boateng was entrapped inside of the vehicle and soon pronounced deceased by the Franklin County Coroner’s Office. 

The trailer’s load spilled into the median and onto the westbound lanes of I-74.  The westbound lanes were closed for nearly seven hours for crash investigation and cleanup. 

The investigation is ongoing.

Osei Boateng’s family has been notified.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Batesville Police Department, Batesville Fire Department, and Franklin County Coroner’s Office. 

A southern Indiana man was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Scott County Tuesday afternoon, according to the Indiana State Police.

Shortly after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Troopers with the Indiana State Police were alerted to a possible crash on South Boatman Road in Scottsburg, Indiana, a short distance south of West Lake Road.

Authorities were informed of the possible crash by an automated alert from an Apple Watch.

Investigators believe a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze was heading southbound on Boatman Road. For an unknown reason, the car traveled across the northbound lane, off the east side of the roadway, and collided with a tree. The driver of the Chevrolet Cruze, James C. Lasher, 48, of Underwood, Indiana, was unresponsive and rushed to Scott County Memorial Hospital.

Lasher was pronounced dead shortly after arriving to the hospital.

According to investigators, there were no other passengers, and no other vehicles were involved in the collision. Investigators believe a medical emergency may have initiated the crash. Lasher’s family has been notified of his death.

Yesterday, November 1, 2023, Indiana State Police Detectives began conducting a death investigation after an inmate being held in the Ripley County Jail died while incarcerated in the facility.

The investigation by detectives indicated that at approximately 3:00 pm yesterday, a 57 year old female inmate arrived at the facility after having been arrested in a different Indiana county on a Ripley County warrant.  Shortly after arriving at the Ripley County Jail, the inmate became unresponsive inside of a jail cell.

Jail staff and responding medical personnel provided medical care to the individual.  She was transported to Margaret Mary Hospital in Batesville, Indiana where she was soon pronounced deceased.  Per normal protocol, the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department requested the Indiana State Police to investigate the death. 

The investigation is ongoing.   

Toxicology results and an autopsy are pending although no foul play is suspected at this time.

Change is a constant in our lives and it has certainly been prominent in City of Salem Mayor Justin Green’s first term.

Working in partnership with the Salem City Council and other officials as well as many local and state organizations and agencies has resulted in many positive changes for the city.

“I am so grateful for the relationships we have sustained and built over these past three years,” said Mayor Green. “My goal when I was elected was to position Salem for the future and I am proud to say we have taken major steps in building a brighter tomorrow for our great city.”

Regarding the construction of several innovative infrastructure projects, downtown Salem will be easier to navigate and utilities will be upgraded to meet needs for many years and future generations.

“The city has successfully pursued federal highway grants and Community Crossing grants to fund these projects, with local matching funds,” said Mayor Green. “These extensive projects would not be possible without these grant programs. As we collaborate with state and federal agencies, it’s worth noting that the city aligns with their schedule.”

A city project that included designing a new entrance to Bristol Street and Highway 56 will make this area safer for motorists.

Salem and Washington County’s participation in the Our Southern Indiana READI initiative will bring major improvements to the city, including the Lake Salinda Bath House, improvements at the Salem Municipal Airport, and infrastructure and property acquisition for a workforce housing project on North Shelby Street.

The Covid-19 pandemic was a major challenge for the city, but Mayor Green was able to secure $250,000 in American Recovery Plan Act funds to assist small businesses. “Thanks to this financial support, our community’s small businesses managed to endure,” said Mayor Green.

Maintaining a well-trained and well-equipped emergency response team is vital to ensure a safe city. Under Mayor Green, new equipment has been added for both the Salem City Police Department and Salem Fire Department.

The addition of a portable speed/radar sign is making city streets safer by raising awareness of motor vehicle speeds.

Mayor Green is constantly networking and exploring opportunities that might benefit the city. He is currently attending new READI 2.0 meetings for the next phase of the multi-county regional development.

Other projects currently that will further improve Salem include:

• A new Splash Pad Water Park – Approval for permitting has been granted, and the final engineering phase is currently underway, along with additional land acquisition.
• Working with Duke Energy to start an LED street light program – The contract has been executed, and the project is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2024.
• Installing EV charging stations in partnership with Washington County Tourism to help attract visitors.
• Partnering with the Humane Society on a new Animal Shelter – Finishing touches are being made along with new fencing for the dog park.

The city of Salem is on an upward trajectory, experiencing continuous growth and driving economic prosperity. A welcoming atmosphere for small businesses has attracted numerous newcomers, injecting fresh attraction into the local community.

“There are a multitude of projects that are either underway or in the planning stages that will make our city an even better place to live and work,” said Mayor Green. “I appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in each of these projects and I promise to continue working to move Salem toward a great future.”

This year, El Nino is in place heading into winter for the first time in four years, driving the outlook for warmer-than-average temperatures for the northern tier of the continental United States, according to NOAA’s U.S. Winter Outlook released today by the Climate Prediction Center — a division of the National Weather Service. 

“These outlooks provide critical guidance on the upcoming season for many industries and sectors of our economy, from energy producers to commodities markets to agricultural interests to tourism,” said Sarah Kapnick, Ph.D., NOAA chief scientist. “With a strengthening El Nino and more potential climate extremes in an already record-breaking year, we’re lucky to have scientists like those at the Climate Prediction Center helping to build a Weather and Climate-Ready Nation by providing critical operational seasonal climate predictions.”

From December through February, NOAA predicts wetter-than-average conditions for northern Alaska, portions of the West, the southern Plains, Southeast, Gulf Coast and lower mid-Atlantic and drier-than-average conditions across the northern tier of the U.S., especially in the northern Rockies and High Plains and near the Great Lakes.

“An enhanced southern jet stream and associated moisture often present during strong El Nino events supports high odds for above-average precipitation for the Gulf Coast, lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast states this winter,” said Jon Gottschalck, chief of the Operational Prediction Branch of the Climate Prediction Center.

NOAA forecasters, in collaboration with the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), continue to monitor extreme, ongoing drought conditions that have persisted through the southern and central U.S. and worsening drought in Hawaii. 

“According to the Oct. 17 U.S. Drought Monitor, a third of the country, including Puerto Rico, is in drought,” said Brad Pugh, operational drought lead with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “During late October, heavy precipitation is likely to result in drought improvement for the central U.S. El Nino with its enhanced precipitation is expected to provide drought relief to the southern U.S. during the next few months.”