Funeral services, vigil in Kansas City honors Sierra and Noelani Robinson
Vigil for Sierra, Noelani Robinson in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Family and friends gathered to say goodbye Sierra and Noelani Robinson in Kansas City, Missouri.
Funeral services were held for the mother and daughter at Serenity Funeral Home in Kansas City on Saturday, March 23. Kansas City is where Sierra's father lives.
A vigil was also held there Friday evening, March 22, pink and white balloons soared above Hibbs Park, near 59th and Spruce, in honor of Sierra her 2-year-old daughter, Noelani.
Police said Sierra was shot and killed in Milwaukee and Noelani's body was later found on the side of a highway, three hours away, in Minnesota.
Vigil for Sierra, Noelani Robinson in Kansas City, MO
Vigil for Sierra, Noelani Robinson in Kansas City
Sierra's father, Hank Robinson, said he chose to have the prayer vigil at Precious Doe Memorial to raise awareness about child abuse. In 2001, that's where the body of a 3-year-old girl was found decapitated.
"Sierra was my first born. Noelani was my only grandchild. Both had infectious personalities," the KC dad said. "I really miss their smiles and presence."
Sierra and Noelani Robinson
Sierra had wanted her daughter to know her father and took her to Milwaukee where Noelani stayed with the man for six weeks.
Deloise Lipsey said she traveled with Dariaz Higgins, Noelani's father and the man accused of killing Sierra.
"I didn't quite approve of him," Robinson said.
According to court documents, Lipsey was with Higgins for several days before and after Sierra was shot and killed in Milwaukee on March 11.
Noelani, Sierra Robinson
Lipsey claims she flew to Minneapolis from Las Vegas on March 8, court records say. Higgins picked her up at the airport, then headed south to Austin, Minnesota.
The pair checked in to the Rodeway Inn & Suites, where Lipsey said she stayed all day Saturday while Higgins was away.
Lipsey said around 3 a.m. the next day, Higgins returned, and they left for Minneapolis, taking a bag of "trash" with them.
They eventually left the alleged "trash," presumably the 2-year-old's body, on the side of a Minnesota road, court records say.
Vigil for Sierra, Noelani Robinson in Kansas City
"It’s unfathomable to imagine that my granddaughter was frozen for several days," Robinson said. "She was in a ditch on top of dirty snow."
Dariaz Higgins
According to Robinson, police said his daughter and a friend went to meet Higgins at an apartment complex while he was in Milwaukee, thinking they were going to pick up Noelani and go back to Kansas City.
"She was there specifically to get her child," he said.
But that never happened.
Noelani Robinson
"That is the definition of a friend -- to place your life, even though there was going to be some trouble, to say I’m going anyway and I’m right there with you and if you die I’m going to die right there with you," Robinson said. "There’s no greater love."
According to Lipsey's timeline, the 2-year-old's body was on the side of the road for five days before a passerby spotted it March 15.
Lipsey is now charged with harboring or aiding a felon. She's since been freed on bond and has another court hearing April 1.
Higgins is being held in jail, charged with killing Sierra. He has not been charged in Noelani's death.
The Kansas City mother and daughter will be laid to rest Saturday morning.