BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A mother who was arrested in connection with the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Nevaeh Allen, was sentenced on Thursday.
According to the East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office, Lanaya Cardwell, 28, was sentenced to 14 years on charges of attempted second-degree cruelty to juveniles, with credit for time served.
Cardwell was originally charged with second-degree murder, but that charge was later downgraded. In February 2026, Cardwell was found guilty of the reduced charge.
Her partner at the time, Phillip Gardner, was also charged in connection with the case. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Allen was reported missing in 2021 before her body was found in a wooded area of Mississippi. During the trial, medical examiners detailed severe internal injuries and head wounds that were inflicted on the day of the child’s death.
As part of Cardwell’s sentencing, she must undergo a mental health evaluation and attend therapy and parenting courses, the district attorney’s office confirmed…