They found a 3-year-old girl dead inside a suitcase and arrested her parents.

The body of  Nola Dinkins, a 3-year-old girl, was found inside a suitcase, wrapped in plastic, and showing signs of severe malnutrition. The discovery took place in a vacant lot in North East, Maryland, United States.

The case caused a strong shock in the community, especially because her mother, Darrian Randle, had previously reported the girl's abduction, triggering an AMBER Alert—the U.S. equivalent of Argentina's Alerta Sofía—.

According to the initial account, Randle claimed that her daughter had been kidnapped at gunpoint in Newark, Delaware, about 30 minutes from her home. She even drew a map to assist in the supposed search.

The investigation revealed a brutal crime and a lie

However, Randle's account raised suspicions among investigators, who also decided to inspect her residence. Her partner, Antoine Britten, was there, and he was questioned and provided key information to locate Nola's body.

The girl's remains were found in a vacant lot near her former home. The body was placed inside a suitcase and covered with plastic, in conditions that showed clear signs of neglect and abuse.

Britten was reportedly the one who revealed the exact location of the body. Shortly afterward, Randle herself confessed to having beaten her daughter with a belt until she lost consciousness.

Both adults were arrested and are charged with first- and second-degree murder, as well as child abuse resulting in death. They remain in custody, awaiting trial.