The details of the Neveah Allen case have become more horrific by the day.
In a shocking turn of events, the 2-year-old’s mother has been charged in the toddler’s death.
According to an affidavit from Baton Rouge Police, early Friday morning (September 24), Lanaya Cardwell punched Neveah in the stomach with a closed fist out of anger because the toddler walked in the bathroom and picked up her contact lenses.
The blow caused Neveah to fall backward and hit her head on a cabinet.
Lanaya then grabbed Neveah and forcibly took her into another room.
Phillip Gardner, Lanaya’s boyfriend, said it sounded like two adults fighting in the room.
He saw the child crying and she had a contusion on her forehead.
After she assaulted the child, Phillip dropped Lanaya off at work.
Later that day, Neveah Allen, who was in the care of Gardner, complained of stomach pain and wouldn’t eat.
He said Neveah went to lie down on the couch and he later found her lifeless and cold.
Gardner said he attempted CPR, but his efforts were unsuccessful.
When asked why he didn’t call 911, he said he was trying to protect Lanaya.
Phillip Gardner told authorities he put Neveah’s into a small suitcase and drove her to Mississippi with a three-year-old and 11-month-old in the car.
He purposefully left his cell phone at home, so it couldn’t be track by police.
Phillip Gardner placed Neveah’s body in a makeshift grave deep in the woods.
He got rid of the suitcase and disposed of Neveah’s clothes in a trash can.
When he returned home, he filed the false missing persons report.
Phillip later admitted that he did not call 911 because he has witnessed Lanaya Cardwell severely beat Neveah in the past and they failed to seek medical treatment for her when she exhibited symptoms of contusions, stomach aches, and unwillingness to eat.
Police were even supplied with supporting pictures and videos as proof.
An autopsy showed multiple contusions to Neveah’s face and head along with swelling on her brain.
Neveah had a handprint on her face and bruises on her thighs and buttocks. There were also injuries to her abdominal wall, which were consistent with being punched in the stomach.
The medical examiner also noted old injuries consistent with a history of abuse.
Both Lanaya Cardwell and Phillip Gardner have been charged with second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to juveniles which resulted in the death of the victim.
Watch the news report below.
The fact that Lanaya was out and about “searching” for Neveah and weeping on camera knowing what she had done to this precious baby makes me sick to my stomach.
May hell rain down on Lanaya and Phillip on earth and in the afterlife!
