Henry Earl Dinkins of Iowa was sentenced on Thursday, October 12, 2023, to two consecutive life sentences for the kidnapping and murder of 10-year-old Breasia Terrell. Reports indicate that the remains of the child were located in a pond in 2021.
Dinkins, 51, had previously admitted his guilt in this case, leading to his conviction on charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping on September 15, 2023. As part of the sentencing, the court ordered Dinkins to pay $150,000 to Aishia Lankford, Breasia’s mother.
During the court proceedings, Aishia Lankford sought answers from Dinkins regarding her daughter’s last moments. “You took away everything,” she told him, emphasizing her grief.
Breasia was reported missing in July 2020. An extensive search by local and federal officials concluded with the discovery of her remains in March 2021.
Dinkins, a registered sex offender with prior convictions, was flagged as a potential suspect soon after Breasia’s disappearance. The trial, which lasted two weeks, saw close to 50 witnesses. Key among them was Dinkins’ son, age eight at the time, who is also Breasia’s half-brother. Breasia was staying that night with her brother and Dinkins. The eight-year-old’s account, combined with video and phone records, supported the events of the day she disappeared.
The defense’s stance on a lack of direct evidence was overshadowed by the weight of witness testimonies and electronic data.