Daughter, 2, of soldiers dead; godparents charged
By Stephanie Sanchez / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 04/09/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT


The badly beaten body of 2-year-old Milanya Harris was found late Monday in an East El Paso apartment, and her guardians -- an Army sergeant and his wife -- were arrested Tuesday in connection with her death, authorities said.
Milanya and her brother, who also showed signs that he had been abused, had been placed in the care of the couple because their parents are deployed to Germany and Iraq, said officials and family members. The guardians, according to family members, were the children's godparents.

Police said officers went to the Arbor Vista Apartments, 7900 Viscount, after receiving a call concerning a child not breathing around 10 p.m. Monday, said Chris Mears, El Paso Police Department spokesman.

A preliminary investigation revealed Milanya died of "several blunt-force trauma injuries throughout her body," according to a police complaint affidavit. The girl's 4-year-old brother also suffered severe injuries and was taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment, police said.

Army Staff Sgt. Nakia J. Dawkins and his wife, Shawntrell Dawkins, were arrested, and each was charged with one count of capital murder and one count of injury to a child, police said.

According to a police complaint affidavit, Shawntrell Dawkins told police Milanya had "suffered a fall down several stairs inside the residence." But when Milanya was taken to a hospital, her injuries were not found to be consistent with injuries from a fall, the affidavit stated.

The Dawkinses had the children because their parents are stationed overseas, Mears said.
The children's grandmother Joanne Hardenan said in a telephone interview from Jacksonville, Fla., that her son Earl Harris III, who is the children's father, is in Iraq.

She said she received a call from her son. "I don't know who contacted him. He was talking so fast and crying at the same time. He said, 'Ma, are you sitting down?' I said, 'What is it?' He said, 'It's Milanya ... she's dead."

Hardenan identified the mother as Sherri Harris, but she was not certain about the spelling of the first name. Hardenan said she knew the mother of the children was sent to Germany, but she didn't know her grandchildren were being cared for by people who weren't family.

"When she was talking about ... going to Germany, she said was going give us the children," Hardenan said. But she said she didn't hear from Sherri Harris again. "My son didn't even know these people. We have plenty of family that were more than willing to take these kids in until she came back."

Fort Bliss officials confirmed that one parent is stationed in Germany and the other in Iraq.

Hardenan said her son and wife, Sherri Harris, separated last year in Clarksville, Tenn.

"I hope that the people that did this to my grandchildren -- I hope they rot in hell," she said. "I'm hurt, I'm angry. All of this could have been avoided."

Earl Harris III is expected to arrive in El Paso today, Hardenan said.

Jean Offutt, a spokeswoman for Fort Bliss, said the military was helping police with the investigation. Tuesday, it was not known whether the mother was stationed at Fort Bliss before leaving to Germany, she said.

Shawntrell Dawkins' mother, Belinda McCray, and father, Clarence McCray, said the Dawkinses were the godparents of the Milanya and her brother.

Shawntrell Dawkins "had told me that Mrs. Harris was leaving to go overseas and she was supposed to keep them for a month until she went to Germany and got situated," she said.

She said that when the month was up in Germany, Sherri Harris kept delaying the pickup date.

"I just don't believe at all that either one of them did it. I don't know what happened, but I don't believe in my heart either one of them did it," McCray said.

In cases such as these, the remaining child would probably be cared for at the Child Crisis Center until the parents return, said Paul Zimmerman, Child Protective Services spokesman.

"CPS is investigating," he said. "The primary concern is the safety and welfare of 4-year-old child."

Zimmerman said a variety of factors lead to child abuse and neglect, including lack of parenting skills, money problems and drug and alcohol abuse.

The Dawkins couple did not have a history with CPS before Monday night, he said.

According to a police affidavit, "The defendant and co-defendant were interviewed (and) both admitted and implicated each other to have cause the injuries to both children."
~~~~~

I work with the maternal Grandfather of these children, he doesn't know why his daughter didn't leave the babies with him, he didn't know her and he husband were separated, he didn't know anything. All he knows is that he has to get to El Paso to bury his grandbaby.

I have no words.

Stymie said:

I know we are all a wreak here, this is sad beyond words. He's the closest relative. Daddy is coming from Iraq and mama is coming from Germany, the paternal grands are coming in from Jacksonville, but the state of Texas won't release the baby or her brother to anyone but parents



florida edit
[Edited 4/9/08 13:53pm]

Stymie said:

Same here..

I feel so sick after reading this. Got me

Adults abusing defenseless children

So Sad.

this is very sad

I seriously feel ill now.

This is why I seldom read threads with titles like these, so if you don't see me post in all the "pray for..." threads it's not because I am being uncaring, it's just because I can't handle the sadness.

Ugh.
[Edited 4/10/08 6:32am]