Police Confirm Remains Of Missing 10-Year-Old Iowa Girl Found

“When I close my eyes, I can see her face. I can hear her voice,” said Breasia Terrell’s mother. “I hear her calling out to me to come and find her.”

April 02, 2021
Photo of Breasia Terrell [via State of Iowa Amber Alert]

Photo of Breasia Terrell [via State of Iowa Amber Alert]

Photo of Breasia Terrell [via State of Iowa Amber Alert]

By: Michelle Sigona

Investigators in Davenport, Iowa confirm the remains located on March 22, 2021 are 10-year-old Breasia Terrell. Multiple reports at the time showed Breasia's mom, Aishia Lankford, standing at the scene of the recovery in DeWitt. The location is about 30 miles from Davenport, the area where Breasia was last seen.

Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorski said, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the findings from DCI’s Crime Lab. We grieve alongside Breasia’s family and the community."

In July 2020, Lankford spoke out to the Quad-City Times about her daughter, “When I close my eyes, I can see her face. I can hear her voice. I hear her calling out to me to come and find her."

When Breasia vanished, an Amber Alert was listed and investigators believed she was with convicted sex offender, 48-year-old Henry Earl Dinkins. During the interview with Quad-City, Lankford confirmed her daughter was with Dinkins, who is the father of Breasia's younger half-brother. Lankford confirmed the pair had a relationship about eight years prior.

Reports confirm Dinkins is a person of interest in this case and he’s being held on unrelated sex offender registery charges in Iowa. Reports say Dinkins has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

Breasia appeared on In Pursuit: The Missing with host Callahan Walsh. She was reported missing to the Davenport Police on July 10, 2020 and authorities said they, along with the FBI, have received and worked "hundreds" of tips since the case began.

Sikorski added, “What’s important to know is this: the work of our investigators is not over. This is an open and ongoing investigation. We understand that the community wants to know where the investigation stands, and if anyone will be charged in this heinous crime."

If you know anything about this case please contact the In Pursuit hotline directly. You can call 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. or text your tip 24/7 to: 833-378-7783

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