Indiana State Police said on Friday local time Dejaune Anderson had been arrested in a Los Angeles suburb, and was charged with murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death and obstruction of justice.

The charges come after the body of Cairo Ammar Jordan was found in a suitcase in a wooded area in southern Indiana, about 56 kilometres north-west of Louisville, Kentucky, in April 2022.

"It's a sombre moment," Indiana  State Police Sergeant Carey Huls said.

"We did know that this day was going to come, but to have it come at this time and to have her in custody, I'm just excited [for the detectives].

"We're all very excited, lifted up and buoyed by the fact that she's behind bars and can be brought back to Indiana so we can continue this trail for justice for Cairo."

Police said they received a tip that led to locating Ms Anderson in California.

It wasn't clear on Friday whether she has an attorney who might comment on her behalf.

An autopsy found Cairo died from vomiting and diarrhoea that led to dehydration

Investigators said the boy had died about a week or less before a mushroom hunter discovered his body.

A second woman charged in the case reached a plea deal with prosecutors in November.

Dawn Coleman, 41, of Shreveport, Louisiana, was sentenced to 30 years in prison with five years suspended to probation, after pleading guilty to aiding, inducing or causing murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, and obstruction of justice.

AP