By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Friday, September 19, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) announced that he is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person involved in the murder of 8-year old Hiawayi Robinson.
Governor Bentley said in a written statement, “Dianne and I were heartbroken to learn of the tragic death of this innocent child. We have been praying and following the situation closely, and our prayers for comfort are with Hiawayi’s family.”
Governor Bentley said, “We won’t rest until this little girl’s killer is brought to justice. Alabama’s State law enforcement agencies have been actively assisting the Prichard Police Department in the investigation into the death of Hiawayi Robinson. I directed the Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Spencer Collier, to go to Prichard and offer any resources needed. As soon as Hiawayi was reported missing, we sent 10 State Bureau of Investigation agents to Prichard, and our Trooper Aviation Unit also assisted in helping to find Hiawayi. Those agents will remain in Prichard until a suspect has been arrested. Furthermore, I’ve directed an increased presence of state troopers in Prichard until the person who committed this terrible act has been found.”
The Governor continued, “I’ve also issued a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder. Sometimes tips from the public are the only leads law enforcement officers have to help them solve a case. I hope this reward will encourage anyone with any information to come forward and help authorities solve this case and bring Hiawayi Robinson’s killer to justice.”
Gov. Bentley and law enforcement are asking that anyone with any possible information about Hiawayi or this case to please contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at 1-800-CALL FBI.
According to original reporting by Fox 10’s (WALA) Kati Weis, there is surveillance footage of eight-year-old Hiawayi Robinson captured at a strip mall about three blocks down from the St. Stephens Woods Apartments complex where she lived. The video shows little Hiawayi running into a convenience store at 4:04 p.m. Tuesday afternoon where she stayed for about six minutes, bought $4.04 of candy, left the store, and politely holds the door for some folks going inside. She then runs back around the side of the building. This is the last Hiawayi was seen before her body was found dumped on the side of a road in Prichard.
