Memphis, Tennessee | September 7, 2010: Baby Lauryn Dickens, just 9 months old, was full of life, with bright eyes and a radiant smile. Her life was tragically cut short, and her disappearance and eventual murder shocked Memphis and left a lasting scar on the community.
What Happened
On September 7, 2010, Lauryn Dickens was taken from her home at the Raleigh Village Apartments off Yale Road in Memphis. Her mother, Shakara Dickens, claimed that a woman came to her door, saying she was a friend of Lauryn’s father, and wanted to take the baby until he was released from jail. However, Shakara failed to provide any specific information about this woman—no name, no phone number, and no identification.
This bizarre story began to unravel when Shakara didn’t report Lauryn missing for over a week. Instead of taking action to find her daughter, Shakara went clubbing, bought new clothes, and even covered up a tattoo on her back. Only after pressure from her own mother did she eventually go to the police, but by then, the truth began to surface.
The Discovery of the Truth
Lauryn’s father, when questioned by investigators, confirmed that he hadn’t spoken to Shakara in weeks and that he never sent anyone to pick up his daughter. Cadaver dogs detected traces of human remains inside Shakara’s apartment and her car, leading police to question her further.
In 2012, after extensive investigation, Shakara Dickens finally confessed. She admitted that she had become overwhelmed by stress, and in a moment of desperation, she smothered her baby and disposed of her body in a trash bin. Lauryn’s remains were never found, but the garbage truck that took her body away was the last place she would be seen.
Legal Consequences
Shakara was sentenced to 19 years in prison after confessing to second-degree murder, manslaughter, child neglect, and false reporting. Despite her confession, Lauryn’s tiny body has never been recovered, leaving a heartbreaking void in the lives of those who loved her.
Remembering Lauryn
Lauryn Dickens, at only 9 months old, was denied the opportunity to grow, to love, and to live the life she deserved. Her story serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of protecting the most vulnerable among us and ensuring that justice is served for those who can no longer speak for themselves.
Her memory lives on in the hearts of those who remember her face and who refuse to let her story fade into silence.
What Can You Do?
If you have any information that could help locate Lauryn Dickens’ remains, authorities urge you to come forward. The Memphis Police Department can be contacted at 901-545-2677. Let’s honor Lauryn’s memory and ensure her story continues to be told.
️ A crib, not a coffin.
️ A lullaby, not a lie.
️ A life, not a landfill.
We must never let another baby girl be erased like this. Let’s speak Lauryn’s name and keep her story alive.
The post The Tragic Case of Baby Lauryn Dickens: A Life Cut Short and a Mother’s Unthinkable Confession first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
