WASHINGTON CO. — The murder trial of Dejaune Anderson, charged in the death of her 5-year-old son, Cairo Jordan, remains unresolved months after she was deemed incompetent to stand trial and committed to a state psychiatric facility.
Anderson, 31, is facing charges of murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, and obstruction of justice after the body of her young son was discovered in a suitcase in a remote wooded area of Washington County in 2022. The boy’s death has drawn widespread attention, and ongoing legal delays have marked Anderson’s case.
In August, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Larry Medlock ordered Anderson to undergo psychiatric treatment after two doctors determined she was unable to comprehend the legal proceedings against her. As a result, she was admitted to the Logansport State Hospital for treatment in late August.
According to court records, the hospital’s superintendent, Bethany Schoenradt, sent a letter to Judge Medlock indicating that Anderson remains incompetent to stand trial. Schoenradt referenced a confidential report from a doctor at the facility that details Anderson’s condition. The specifics of the report have not been made public.
Under Indiana law, if a defendant is not deemed competent to stand trial within six months of their commitment, the psychiatric facility may petition the court for a civil commitment, extending the proceedings until Anderson can be remediated enough to participate in her trial. Schoenradt’s letter expressed the belief that Anderson could eventually regain the ability to understand the trial process and assist in her defense.
“It is our opinion that Ms. Anderson has a substantial probability of attaining the ability to understand the proceedings and assist in the preparation of her defense within the foreseeable future,” Schoenradt wrote.
The case against Anderson stems from the tragic discovery of her son, Cairo, whose body was found stuffed inside a suitcase, abandoned in a wooded area near Washington County in 2022. The child’s death shocked the local community and sparked a years-long manhunt for Anderson, who was eventually arrested in California.
Anderson’s co-defendant, Dawn Coleman, was also charged in the death of Cairo. Last November, Coleman pleaded guilty to charges related to the child’s death, including neglect of a dependent. She was sentenced to 25 years and has agreed to testify against Anderson when her trial progresses.
Despite the delays, prosecutors are preparing Anderson’s case. Her mental competency remains a significant hurdle, however, and without a determination that she can stand trial, the legal process will continue to be held in abeyance.
As Anderson’s mental health treatment continues, it remains uncertain when her trial will take place and whether she will ultimately be fit to face the charges related to her son’s death. Authorities have indicated that the proceedings will proceed once Anderson is deemed competent.
The legal team for Anderson has not publicly commented on the ongoing psychiatric evaluations or the next steps in the case.
