UPDATE: DAVENPORT, IOWA (May 5, 2021) CHARGES ANNOUNCED IN THE DISAPPEARNCE OF BREASIA TERRELL
Scott County Attorney Mike Walton and the Davenport Police Department on Wednesday announced charges in the death of Breasia Terrell. Henry Dinkins has been charged with Murder in the First Degree and Kidnapping in the First Degree. Dinkins has been in custody since July 10, 2020 on unrelated charges.
“While announcing charges is a significant step in this case, it is important to understand that bringing forth charges is not the end of this process, but the beginning,” said Scott County Attorney Mike Walton. “We will continue to work tirelessly to seek justice for Breasia.”
The Davenport Police Department recognized five investigators who have worked diligently on this case over the past ten months: Lieutenant Kyle Chisholm, Sergeant Geoff Peiffer, Detective Maureen Hammes, Detective Evan Obert, and Detective Sean Johnson. Investigators have spent thousands of hours on this case following up on tips, conducting interviews, and executing search warrants.
“I want to recognize our investigators who have spent countless hours over the past ten months working on this case,” said Criminal Investigation Division Commander Captain Brent Biggs. “This case has been difficult on our investigators, and on their families, and it is due to their hard work and dedication that we are able to bring forth charges in this case. Because of their unrelenting effort, justice will be sought on behalf of Breasia,” added Criminal Investigation Division Deputy Division Commander Lieutenant Kyle Chisholm.
The Davenport Police Department also thanked the many agencies and community members that assisted with both the search for Breasia and the subsequent investigation, including the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, and more than 20 other public safety agencies. In addition, hundreds of community members volunteered in the search for Breasia throughout Scott County and Clinton County.
“The Davenport community has been tremendous in assisting investigators with this case, from volunteering for large scale searches to the hundreds of tips that were submitted by the public, and we are thankful for their outpouring of support,” said Biggs. “I would also like to acknowledge Breasia’s mother, Aisha Lankford, who has been cooperative throughout this entire process. We cannot imagine the grief she has experienced and our thoughts and prayers remain with her and Breasia’s family.”
Ten-year-old Davenport resident Breasia Terrell was reported missing to the Davenport Police Department on July 10, 2020. She was last seen in the early morning hours of July 10, 2020 near the 2700 block of East 53rd Street.
Note: The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Crisis Services Available To Community
As the community mourns the loss of Breasia, community leaders are working together to assure that counseling services are available to those impacted.
“We realize that many in our community feel a sense of helplessness and frustration, and it can take time and often the help of a counselor or mental health care professional to unravel feelings around such a loss,” said Chief Sikorski. “Both the Davenport Community School District and Family Resources have services in place to serve impacted students and our community as a whole.”
According to Nicole Cisne Durbin, president of Family Resources, similar support services made available to Breasia’s family can also be accessed by the community.
“Family Resources is committed to providing services to Breasia’s immediate family as well as members of our community that may have been impacted by her death. We know that times of crisis create instability for many, and we are committed to staying on the front lines with those we serve. Our victim and survivor services are provided free of charge to anyone who needs assistance during this difficult time,” said Durbin.