Trial starts for Baton Rouge man accused of dumping girl’s body in another state

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A trial started Monday for a Baton Rouge man accused of dumping the body of a 2-year-old girl, who died after being punched, in a neighboring state in 2021.

Phillip Gardner, 34, faces a trial this week after he was formally charged with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice in January 2022.

Background on the case

Officers contacted Gardner, who identified himself as the child’s stepfather, on Sept. 24, 2021, regarding the missing persons report. He reportedly told police he woke up from a nap to find the front door open and the child, Nevaeh Allen, missing.

An affidavit stated that detectives later learned that the child had died after her mother, Lanaya Cardwell, 27, became angry and punched her daughter, which led the child to fall and hit her head on a cabinet. Gardner told investigators he attempted CPR after finding Allen unresponsive after he returned from dropping Cardwell off at work.

The Baton Rouge Police Department said Gardner admitted to not calling 911 or police to protect Cardwell and instead put Allen’s body in a suitcase, and traveled to Hancock County, Mississippi, to dispose of the body in a “makeshift grave deep in the woods.” He told detectives that he knew of previous incidents of abuse and did not report them.

According to arrest documents, a forensic pathologist said Allen had severe trauma, causing brain swelling, and could not rule out that she was still alive when her body was placed in the suitcase.

Gardner and Cardwell were arrested and later pleaded not guilty to charges. Jail records show both are still in custody at East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. A judge had increased the bond for each to $375,000 in October 2021.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services opened an investigation a little over a week after Allen’s death.

Trial for child’s mother set for fall

Court records show Cardwell’s trial is set to start on Nov. 3, 2025. She was formally charged with second-degree murder in January 2022.

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