Dariaz Higgins charged in death of 2-year-old Noelani Robinson

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Nearly one year after the body of 2-year-old Noelani Robinson was found in a Minnesota ditch, her father -- Dariaz Higgins -- has been charged in her death. 

Higgins was formally charged Thursday, March 5 with second degree murder-without intent. 

Higgins is in custody, awaiting trial in the murder of Noelani's mother -- Sierra Robinson -- who was fatally shot near 91st and Mill in Milwaukee on March 11, 2019. 

As much time as Higgins might face behind bars, Noelani's grandmother says it will never be enough. 

"Whatever they give him, he deserves it all. He deserves every last bit of it," said Latosha Bryant, Noelani's grandmother. 

Higgins is currently in custody at the Milwaukee County Jail, facing first degree murder charges for the death of Sierra. 

"What evil person can do something like this?" Bryant asked. 

An Amber Alert was issued for 2-year-old Noelani after her mother was fatally shot. Her body was found in a Minnesota ditch four days later. 

"I wish they had the death penalty because she was an innocent child, my daughter. I don’t know what goes through his head, but whatever it was that made you go to that point to kill my daughter and my grand-baby -- it’s not right," Bryant said. 

According to a criminal complaint, 35-year-old Higgins stayed at the Rodeway Inn Motel in Austin, Minnesota between Feb. 6 and March 10 of 2019. 

When he was questioned, Higgins said Noelani fell off the toilet seat and died. He then wrapped her body in blankets and left her on the motel room floor "for a couple of days," before leaving her body in the ditch. 

An autopsy determined Noelani died of blunt force trauma to her head -- contradicting what Higgins told investigators. 

Two days before they found Noelani, Higgins was arrested on March 13 in Milwaukee, for Sierra's death. 

Bryant says she hopes they can get justice but no matter what happens to him, it will never bring her loved ones back. 

“It’s been so hard," said Bryant. "I watch videos of Noelani just talking -- just look at pictures and then I imagine what would they be doing, what would we all be doing if they were here now? If they had the death penalty, death. But I know they don’t have it in Minnesota, and I know they don’t have it in Milwaukee.” 

If convicted of the charges in his daughter's death, Higgins could face up to 40 years in prison. If found guilty of Robinson's murder, he could be sentenced to life in prison.