Louisiana Mother Accused of Killing 2-Year-Old Daughter Over Damaged Contact Lenses as Boyfriend Buried Child in ‘Makeshift Forest Grave’
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA — A Louisiana mother accused of beating her 2-year-old daughter to death because the child touched her contact lenses has rejected a plea deal and will face trial early next year, as prosecutors reveal horrifying new details — including the discovery of the girl’s body in a “makeshift grave deep in the woods.”
28-year-old Lanaya Brittany Cardwell was charged with second-degree murder in the death of her daughter, Nevaeh Allen, after allegedly striking her so violently that the toddler fell and hit her head on a bathroom cabinet. Her boyfriend, 34-year-old Phillip Gardner, later admitted to disposing of the body in a forested area across state lines in Mississippi, according to court records.
A Deadly Outburst Over Contact Lenses
According to arrest warrants obtained by The Advocate, the tragedy began on the morning of September 4, 2021, at the couple’s Baton Rouge home on La Belle Avenue.
While Cardwell was getting ready for work, little Nevaeh reportedly picked up her mother’s contact lenses, accidentally damaging one. Enraged, Cardwell allegedly punched the toddler in the torso with a closed fist, causing her to fall and slam her head on a nearby cabinet.
Cardwell then dragged her daughter into another room, where her boyfriend told investigators he could hear sounds “like two adults fighting.”
When Nevaeh emerged, she had a large bruise on her forehead.
“The child was clearly hurt,” investigators wrote. “She complained of stomach pain and would not eat.”
A Cover-Up and a ‘Makeshift Grave in the Woods’
Later that day, while Cardwell was at work, Gardner told police he found Nevaeh unconscious. Instead of calling 911, he admitted to placing the child’s body inside a small suitcase and driving across the state line into Mississippi with other children in the car.
According to court filings, Gardner buried the suitcase in a “makeshift grave deep in the forest” of Hancock County, Mississippi, before returning home to file a false missing-persons report.
When police arrived at the Baton Rouge home, they launched an urgent search for the child. One of Nevaeh’s siblings told officers that she was “in the forest,” though no one understood what that meant until her remains were found two days later, on September 26, 2021.
Autopsy Reveals Brutal Injuries
A coroner’s examination revealed severe bruising on Nevaeh’s face, head, and abdomen, as well as swelling to her brain. The medical report described marks consistent with handprints, along with extensive trauma to her thighs and buttocks.
The forensic pathologist added that Nevaeh may have been alive when placed inside the suitcase, possibly suffocating to death before succumbing to her other injuries.
Boyfriend Convicted, Mother Awaits Trial
Gardner was convicted last week of second-degree murder and obstruction of justice, receiving a mandatory life sentence.
Following the verdict, East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore praised the jury’s decision and acknowledged the emotional toll the case took on investigators and family members.
“Nothing can bring back this child who was murdered, but justice is done when those responsible for Nevaeh’s death are held accountable,” Moore said.
Cardwell, who spoke publicly to reporters on the day she reported her daughter missing, had told cameras she “didn’t know what went wrong” — a statement prosecutors now point to as part of her alleged cover-up.
Her trial is scheduled for February 2, 2026, where she faces life in prison if convicted.
Child abuse and neglect remain among the leading causes of preventable child deaths in the U.S. If you suspect abuse, contact the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 or visit childhelplineusa.org for confidential support.
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