Mystery Solved! Missing Child’s Body in Duffel Bag Finally Identified

The small girl who was found dead inside a duffel bag in the Mantua neighborhood of Philadelphia in March has been identified.

Police believe the body is that of 4-year-old Damari Carter, who has been missing since late last year. On March 18, city workers discovered the duffel bag in the 600 block of N. 38th Street. The investigation into Damari’s disappearance began on December 30, 2023, after family members reported not seeing him in weeks.

Damari’s mother, Dominique Bailey, 28, of the Overbrook neighborhood, and her boyfriend, Kevin Spencer, 30, of West Philadelphia, have already been charged with murder in his abduction. The couple is now facing multiple further counts, including abuse of a corpse. When her family inquired about the child’s whereabouts, Bailey reportedly informed them that the 4-year-old had been struck and killed by a car.

However, the authorities discovered no evidence of this incident.
Several days later, cops were observed examining Spencer’s house and hauling bags of evidence.

According to police, Bailey revealed information about her role in her son’s death on January 5.  Bailey witnessed Spencer beating Damari until his head swelled and his eyes turned black in December. Bailey only realized Damari had died when she went to kiss him goodnight.

According to police, a doorbell video saw Spencer taking Damari’s body out of his Mantua house in a bag the following day. Damari’s family spoke to Action News on Wednesday evening. They were heartbroken to learn how he was found. “The way they found him is appalling,” said Damari’s cousin, Aiyana Parrish. “I wouldn’t want my worst enemy to be discovered in such a way. And I commend the person who discovered him.

She also expressed disbelief at her sister’s reported acts.

“I was heartbroken when I saw the report.” I lived with her for several years. I shared a room with her. “I never expected anything like that from her,” she explained.

Parrish went on to explain that if her sister did not want to raise Damari, he was welcome at his father’s house in Texas. “His father wanted him. “Why wouldn’t you just hand him over to his father if it was too much?” she said. “He had everything Damari needed.”

Now she only hopes Damari receives the justice he deserves.

“I’m glad they have found him because now he can get the proper rest he needs,” she went on to say. “(He was) a smiling, happy little guy. He never had a picture in which he wasn’t smiling. “He was always happy.” The family is currently waiting for the boy’s remains so that he can be properly buried.

Meanwhile, Bailey and Spencer’s preliminary hearing is set for June 18. Action News contacted both of the suspects’ lawyers about this case. Bailey’s lawyer insists that his client is innocent. We have yet to hear from Spencer’s attorney.