MINNESOTA — A 2-year-old girl who had gone missing has been found dead in Minnesota, according to a report. The Milwaukee Police Department launched a search for Noelani Robinson after authorities said she was abducted by her father March 11.
The FBI Friday offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to Noelani’s location.
A family member told WISN 12 News Saturday that Robinson was found dead in Minnesota. FOX 9 reports that her body was found in ditch off of Highway 218, 15 miles north of Austin, Minnesota.
Authorities said this week that Dariaz Higgins, the man accused by Milwaukee police of killing a Las Vegas woman and kidnapping their 2-year-old daughter Noelani, has been arrested. An Amber Alert was issued Monday.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County, Higgins has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, use of a dangerous weapon and first-degree recklessly endangering safety in connection with the shooting death of Sierra Robinson. If convicted, Higgins faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
According to the criminal complaint, Higgins agreed to give Noelani back to Sierra and on March 9. Sierra flew back to Milwaukee to meet Higgins. Police say Higgins, Sierra and her friend met up at the farmer’s market at 22nd Street and Fund du Lac Ave on March 11.
Police say Noelani was not present at that time, and that Higgins told them he would turn over Noelani soon. Police say the three of them got into his black SUV only to “drive around, smoke week, drink and talk about old times,” the criminal complaint stated.
According to the complaint, as they were on the road, Higgins gave Sierra and her friend an ecstasy pill, which they split. They drove to an apartment building near N. 91st Street and W. Mill Road. Higgins told Sierra and her friend that Noelani was inside.
Police say the shooting happened in the moments after they parked the car and got out.
According to the complaint, Milwaukee police officers were dispatched to the 6300 block of N. 91st Street on a report of a shooting on March 11.
When police arrived, officers reported finding a woman — later identified as Sierra Robinson — lying on her back. There was a gunshot wound to the top of her chest, another on the right side of her cheek and another on her left wrist, according to police.
The criminal complaint stated that officers checked for a pulse and began CPR; however, Robinson succumbed to her wounds and was declared dead at the scene.
Scott Anderson, Patch Staff, contributed to this report