On Thursday, October 12, 2023 an Iowa man received two life sentences without parole for the kidnapping and murder of a 10-year-old girl, whose remains were discovered in a pond in 2021, according to reports.
Henry Earl Dinkins was convicted of first-degree murder and kidnapping on September 15, 2023, following his admission of guilt in the case involving the young girl, Breasia Terrell. The sentencing took place this week, with Dinkins receiving the maximum possible punishment for these charges. Additionally, Dinkins was mandated to pay $150,000 in restitution to Breasia’s mother, Aishia Lankford.
During the sentencing, Lankford delivered a poignant victim’s statement, expressing that there is no closure or justice in this situation. “You took away everything,” she said, addressing Dinkins directly and seeking answers about her daughter’s last moments. This heartrending scene underscores the profound impact of the crime on the family and community.
The conviction came after an extensive search for Breasia, who was reported missing in July 2020. Her remains were eventually found in March 2021 in a pond, a discovery that ended an eight-month-long search by local and federal authorities. Prosecutors say she was sexually assaulted and shot.
Dinkins, 51, a registered sex offender previously convicted of sexual abuse, was identified as a potential kidnapper shortly after the girl’s disappearance and an AMBER Alert.
The trial, overseen by Judge Henry Latham, lasted two weeks and saw nearly 50 witnesses testify. Among them was Breasia’s younger brother, who is also Dinkins’ son. He recounted that he and his sister had been at Dinkins’ girlfriend’s apartment the night she vanished. The boy’s testimony, along with video footage and phone data, corroborated Dinkins’ movements on the day Breasia disappeared.
Despite the defense’s argument of insufficient physical evidence linking Dinkins to the crime, the weight of the testimonies and data led to his conviction. The case has rekindled discussions around the importance of surveillance data in legal proceedings, as well as the need to vigilantly monitor registered sex offenders.
