Current Updates: Justice for Damari Carter

As of February 4, 2025, the legal proceedings concerning the tragic death of 4-year-old Damari Carter have progressed. Following their arrests in January 2024, Damari’s mother, Dominique Bailey, and her boyfriend, Kevin Spencer, were charged with multiple offenses, including murder, endangering the welfare of a child, abuse of a corpse, and making false reports. Their preliminary hearing was held on June 18, 2024. However, specific details regarding the trial outcomes or any subsequent legal developments have not been publicly disclosed as of this date. The community continues to mourn the loss of young Damari and awaits further information as the justice system proceeds (People, 2024; CBS News, 2024).

Sources:

• People. (2024). Body found in duffel bag ID’d as missing boy, 4; mother initially claimed hit by car. Retrieved from https://people.com/body-found-duffel-bag-id-d-as-missing-boy-4-mother-initially-claimed-hit-by-car-8642384
• CBS News. (2024). Damari Carter missing Philadelphia duffle bag DNA. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/damari-carter-missing-philadelphia-duffle-bag-dna/

SAD UPDATE

Damari Carter’s Remains Found & Identified

On March 18, 2024, the body of a young child was discovered inside a duffle bag in Philadelphia’s Mantua neighborhood. Authorities later confirmed the remains to be that of 4-year-old Damari Carter, who had been missing since December 2023 (Simon & Sanders, 2024). The child’s body was found by workers cleaning an alleyway along the 600 block of North 38th Street, less than half a mile from where he lived with his mother and her boyfriend (NBC10, 2024).

Damari was last seen alive in early December, but his disappearance was not officially reported until December 30, 2023. His mother, 30-year-old Dominique Bailey, had initially informed family members that Damari had been struck and killed by a car, but investigators were unable to find any evidence supporting this claim (Simon & Sanders, 2024). On January 4, 2024, authorities located Bailey and brought her in for questioning. The following day, Bailey admitted to being involved in her son’s death. A search warrant was subsequently executed at a home on the 3800 block of Reno Street, leading to the arrest of Bailey’s boyfriend, 30-year-old Kevin Spencer (NBC10, 2024).

Bailey and Spencer were both charged with multiple crimes, including murder, conspiracy, endangering the welfare of children, abuse of a corpse, false reporting, and tampering with evidence. Despite these charges, Damari’s body remained missing for months. It was not until March 18, 2024, that his remains were discovered and later identified through DNA testing (NBC10, 2024).

In response to the tragic discovery, community leaders and activists have expressed their outrage and heartbreak. Abdul-Kareem As-Salafi, with the Philadelphia Anti-Drug Anti-Violence Network, emphasized the trauma such cases inflict on the community and reiterated the need for continued efforts to prevent similar tragedies (Simon & Sanders, 2024).

Damari’s father, Darryle Carter, spoke publicly about the case, revealing that he had last attempted to contact his son on November 25, 2023, Damari’s birthday, but received no response. Carter also stated that he had never met Spencer and was unaware of his involvement in Bailey’s life (NBC10, 2024). Additionally, Damari’s cousin, Aiyana Parrish, expressed fears that the young boy had suffered severe abuse prior to his death, referencing reports that he had a swollen head and two black eyes (NBC10, 2024).

A preliminary hearing for Bailey and Spencer was held on June 18, 2024. As of February 4, 2025, the legal proceedings have progressed, though specific trial outcomes or subsequent legal developments have not yet been publicly disclosed. The community continues to mourn Damari’s tragic loss and awaits further updates as the justice system proceeds (People, 2024; CBS News, 2024).

For those affected by domestic violence, resources are available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), via www.thehotline.org, or by texting LOVEIS to 22522.

Sources:

• Simon, A., & Sanders, J. (2024, March 19). Body of small child found inside duffle bag in Philadelphia’s Mantua neighborhood. CBS3. Retrieved from https://local21news.com/news/local/body-of-small-child-found-inside-duffle-bag-in-philadelphias-mantua-neighborhood
• NBC10. (2024, May 2). Body found in duffel bag in West Philly identified as missing boy, police say. Retrieved from https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/body-found-in-duffel-bag-in-west-philly-identified-as-missing-boy-police-say/3847159/
• People. (2024). Body found in duffel bag ID’d as missing boy, 4; mother initially claimed hit by car. Retrieved from https://people.com/body-found-duffel-bag-id-d-as-missing-boy-4-mother-initially-claimed-hit-by-car-8642384
• CBS News. (2024). Damari Carter missing Philadelphia duffle bag DNA. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/damari-carter-missing-philadelphia-duffle-bag-dna/

Mother of Damari Carter Charged with Murder

As of Saturday, 1/06/2024, Dominique Bailey (mother of Damari Carter) and her boyfriend (30-year-old Kevin Spencer) have both been charged with murder, endangering the welfare of a child, false reports, and abuse of corpse, along with other related charges. Dominique was located and brought into SVU for investigation and subsequently arrested for her part in Damari’s murder after she provided details of what happened the day that Damari went missing. More information will be released to the public as it is released in a proper setting by the appropriate authorities.

Last Seen Location

Damari Carter was last seen by his father, Darryle Carter, during a visit at the park in Killeen, Texas in April 2023 with his mother, Dominique Bailey. Damari’s parents were no longer in a relationship and were no longer living together. Damari was happy to see his dad and everything appeared normal.

Disappearance Circumstances

Shortly after the visit ended, Darryle received a call from Dominique’s sister telling him that Dominique had moved out of her home with no notice. Darryle reached out to Dominique and she told him that she was ok but was taking Damari to Austin, Texas with no explanation and cut off all communication. Darryle has not seen or talked to his son since as Dominique ignores his calls and text messages.

Found Out They Went To Philadelphia, PA

Soon after, Dominique’s father, Frank Bailey, called Darryle from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to let him know that they were living with him.

Darryle Receives Information Son Was Killed

Darryle began receiving calls out of the blue on 12/21/23 from friends and family in Philadelphia saying that Dominique was telling everyone that Damari had been killed in an accident and was at the CHOP morgue. Darryle also learned that they had moved out of Frank’s house in November 2023 because Dominique was neglecting Damari and when Frank said something, she moved out of his home.

Confirming Damari Has Not Been Reported As Deceased

After Darryle called all of the hospitals, police departments, medical examiner’s office, and the morgue- he concluded that his son Damari was not killed and may actually be in imminent danger.

Damari May Be In Danger!

Dominique has been known to suffer from mental health illness and has a history with CPS (she lost custody of her 6 year old due to abuse). Damari has an intellectual disability (speech impairement) and is only 4 years old. This is a missing child case, as well as a parental abduction (unauthorized removal of child from the State of Texas).