Iowa man convicted of kidnapping, killing 10-year-old whose remains were found in pond
09/15/2023 11:51 am PDT
DAVENPORT, Iowa (TCD) -- A 51-year-old man was convicted this week of kidnapping and killing a young girl whose disappearance set off an Amber Alert and a months-long search until her remains were discovered in a pond.
The Quad City Times reports Scott County Judge Henry Latham reached the verdict following a 14-day bench trial that included nearly 50 witnesses and dozens of hours of testimony, leading him to convict Henry Dinkins for the murder of 10-year-old Breasia Terrell.
Terrell’s 11-year-old brother, who was identified only as D.L., testified at Dinkins' trial and reportedly spoke about how he and Terrell slept at Dinkins' girlfriend’s apartment the night before the girl disappeared. The judge reportedly said the testimony was "remarkable."
Terrell was reported missing to Davenport Police on July 10, 2020, after she was reportedly last seen that morning on the 2700 block of East 53rd Street. Officials issued an Amber Alert on July 15, 2020, and named Dinkins as her abductor. At the time, however, he was not charged in connection with her disappearance.
Local, state, and federal investigators searched for Terrell over the course of several months.
On March 22, 2021, residents in DeWitt discovered human remains in a pond and contacted law enforcement officials. The remains were positively identified as Terrell’s, and Scott County prosecutors charged Dinkins with kidnapping and murder in May 2021.
The 10-year-old girl was shot to death.
KLJB-TV reports Dinkins will be sentenced Oct. 11.
Terrell’s mother told KLJB, "I don’t know how to feel. I feel like I just won the lottery."
MORE:
- Dinkins guilty of kidnapping, murdering Breasia Terrell, judge rules - Quad City Times
- Henry Dinkins found guilty in kidnapping and murder of 10-year-old Breasia Terrell - KLJB
- Charges Announced in the Disappearance of Breasia Terrell, 5/5/2023 - Davenport Police
- Joint Press Release, 3/23/2021 - Clinton County Sheriff's Office, Davenport Police Department, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
- Amber Alert, 7/15/2020 - Davenport Police Department
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