Remains found in Iowa have been identified as those of Breasia Terrell, the daughter of Aishia Lankford, who had gone missing in July, the Des Moines Register confirmed.
Terrell, 10, of Davenport, Iowa, was reported missing on July 10 after spending the night with her half-brother at his father’s home. The father, Henry Earl Dinkins, 48, is currently in custody on other sex offender registration-related charges that are not key to this case. Still, he does remain a person of interest in Terrell’s disappearance – although not a suspect, the publication reported.
Davenport police said they followed every lead in the case. An Amber alert was issued once she was reported missing, and officers prioritized finding Terrell. Community organizations like Quad Cities Missing Person Network and other volunteers joined the missing little girl’s search.
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Among the places searched were Credit Island, Iowa, on the Mississippi River. It is believed Dinkins liked to fish at the location, as well as other swamps and heavily wooded areas. However, the searches didn’t turn up any signs or sightings of the girl.
A fisherman found the remains on March 22, and her body was taken to a lab where they were identified to be those of Terrell.
In a statement released to the Des Moines Register on Wednesday, Lankford expressed her pain over the tragic discovery. The grieving mom said Terrell loved to dance and sing songs from her favorite Disney film “Moana.” She also said her baby’s favorite color was purple.
“Words cannot describe the heartache and emptiness that we feel,” Lankford said. “Our love for Breasia has gotten us through the past nine months and will continue to see us through as we fight for justice.”
The distraught mother was aware of police interest in Dinkins’ possible involvement in this case. She told the news outlet that she knew about his past as a sex offender, but neither she nor the child she called “Bree” ever worried about being near him. Lankford attributed this to his presence in their life since coming into Terrell’s life when she was a baby.
Lankford admits that her relationship with Dinkins only centers around the co-parenting of the son they share and that Breasia never spent the night over his house before July. Still, she felt it was okay this one time because her children were having so much fun together.
Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorski said in a news release that the investigation is still underway.
“We grieve alongside Breasia’s family and the community,” said Chief Paul Sikorski. “What’s important to know is this: the work of our investigators is not over… we are professionally, thoroughly and with our deepest commitment to justice, continuing the investigation.”
