Bail revoked for alleged child molester – taken into custody at court hearing today

***Explicit content; KCE uses Zha’riyah’s name with permission and at the request of her mother***

A Winnebago County man accused of raping a 5-year-old was taken into custody today on the orders of Kenosha District Judge Anthony Milisauskas. Dakari SD Childress was initially charged on February 2, 2024, with sexual assault of the deceased Zha’riyah Robinson, 5, of Kenosha.

Kenosha County District Court Commissioner William Michel II issued Childress a no-cash bond, meaning he would be released into the world without having to pay a dime. ADA Alexandra Smathers, the prosecutor in the case, agreed to the no-cash bond until Zha’riyah’s family and readers of this publication fought back. Smathers told the family there was “no basis” to ask for a higher bail. KCE published an article about a disturbance that occurred at the final hearing on May 29, 2024. Finally, five days later, Smathers filed a motion to increase bail.

As a basis for the motion, Smathers sent a photo of Childers from his Facebook account holding what appears to be a gun. However, she did not show the judge the numerous videos of him holding a gun and drugs. These were sent to her by a citizen, but she ignored the communication. The video is below:

In court today, Childress told the judge that his phone was “stolen” and someone got his password. This mysterious person posted the videos and photos, which he said were “old.” The photo Smathers sent to the judge showed Childress with dreadlocks, which Childress said were cut off a long time ago.

The judge was not convinced and justified increasing Childress’s bail to $25,000 by citing the need to protect the public and the seriousness of the charges.

So what happened to baby Zha’riyah Robinson? We know she was a sweet, vibrant, loving and loved little five-year-old girl. We know she was brutally sexually abused on August 22, 2023 and sadly passed away less than three months later on November 16, 2023 in Surprise, Arizona. What we don’t know is how she died. In court today, Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Smathers called Zha’riyah’s death “suspicious.”

A highly qualified sex crimes nurse who spoke to KCE said the death could be linked to her rape, which was oral, vaginal and rectal. A rectal tear could, in certain circumstances, cause a slow and horrific death.

According to the indictment, Dakari SD Childfress, then 15, briefly observed Zha’riyah in a house in Kenosha. He then allegedly brutally raped her in every way imaginable. Zha’riyah was able to describe exactly what happened to Kenosha police.

Childress was initially charged as a juvenile, but Judge Meier tried him as an adult. He made his first adult appearance in court on February 7, 2024.

“We were investigating a sexual assault case in which Childress was a suspect (). After our conversation, I spoke with a few detectives and learned that the Surprise Police Department in Arizona is investigating the child’s death,” said KPD spokesman Lt. Josh Hecker.

KCE contacted the Surprise, Arizona Police Department. Sergeant Rick Hernandez issued the following statement:

“This investigation is still open and awaiting the full report from the medical examiner. Here is a summary of the SPD investigation to date.

On 11/16/2023, officers rushed to a local emergency room after Zha’riyah was found unresponsive. Upon arrival, officers observed medical personnel attempting life-saving measures. Zha’riyah was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, where she later died. Detectives from the Surprise Police Department responded, interviewed her guardian and medical personnel, and executed a search warrant on Zha’riyah.‘S Residence. An autopsy was performed on November 18, 2023. Although the full medical examiner’s report is not complete, the medical examiner found no obvious signs of new trauma.

During this investigation, Surprise Police Department investigators have been in contact with Kenosha Police Department regarding Zha’riyah’s family history.”

Timothy Stark, Zha’riyah’s grandfather, told KCE today that a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders when he saw Childress being handcuffed by sheriff’s deputies. “It’s a good thing and safer for the public,” Stark said after the hearing.

Stark told KCE that the Robinson family recently held a family reunion in Texas celebrating Zha’riyah’s life.

Childress is currently without an attorney because the Kenosha Public Defender’s Office found a conflict of interest. The case is now in limbo due to a shortage of attorneys.

He must appear in court again on July 15, 2024 to find out whether he has secured a lawyer.