Maryland Couple Arrested After False Report of Missing Child

Authorities in Maryland have arrested a couple following a false report made by a woman about her daughter being lured. The investigation revealed the discovery of human remains. Cedric Antoine Britten, 31, and a 44-year-old woman from Northeast Maryland, now face serious charges, including murder.

The woman, identified as Randle, had initially claimed that her 3-year-old daughter, Nora Dinkens, was abducted in Delaware, which prompted an Amber Alert that was later canceled. She suggested that while she comforted her daughter, a white male stranger had appeared, seizing the child.

After issuing the Amber Alert, police, aided by the FBI, began their investigation. Maryland State Police (MSP) assisted throughout the night, but as further details emerged, authorities canceled the Amber Alert and decided to check Randle’s last known address.

At this address, police located Britten and subsequently discovered “human remains that matched those of young children” in an empty lot in Maryland.

Britten was arrested and is now facing accusations of being an accessory to first-degree murder. Randle was apprehended in Delaware, awaiting extradition to Maryland, and is charged with first and second-degree murder, as well as severe child abuse resulting in death and additional charges.

MSP spokesperson Elena Russo noted that Randle, Britten, and Dinkens shared the same residence. She added that the remains found appeared to be those of a child, though authorities are awaiting the results of an autopsy.

Subsequent to her arrest, Randle confessed that the report regarding her daughter’s abduction was fabricated. Court documents indicate that she admitted to having struck Dinkens multiple times with a belt, and after both adults attempted to revive her, they placed her body in Britten’s car.

Upon further questioning, Britten reportedly remained unresponsive. He mentioned having a background in military special forces and claimed previous experience with human trafficking. Law enforcement also found a “child-sized” blanket in his vehicle, which bore a reddish-brown stain consistent with blood, which he acknowledged owning.