Sad Update: 11-Year-Old Girl Reported Missing On Her Way To School
In a heartbreaking development, Audrii Cunningham, the 11-year-old girl reported missing from Texas, was tragically found deceased on Tuesday afternoon. Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons, speaking at a solemn press conference on Tuesday, confirmed that Audrii’s body was discovered in the Trinity River near the US Highway 59 bridge in Livingston.
Sheriff Lyons, visibly moved by the grim discovery, assured the public of ongoing efforts to process gathered evidence thoroughly in pursuit of justice for Audrii. Polk County District Attorney Shelly Sitton disclosed that arrest warrants are being prepared for Don Steven McDougal, 42, in connection with Audrii’s disappearance, potentially on charges of capital murder.
McDougal’s arrest on Friday, initially for unrelated charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, raised suspicions as investigators sought his cooperation regarding Audrii’s disappearance. Lt. Craig Cummings, spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety in Southeast Texas, emphasized McDougal’s significance as the last known person to see Audrii and noted efforts made to engage him in the investigation.
During a press conference on Monday, Sheriff Lyons cautioned against premature conclusions amid public speculation. Audrii, expected to board her school bus on the morning of Feb. 15, never arrived, triggering extensive investigations that culminated tragically with this discovery.
Audrii’s mother, Cassie Matthews, disclosed in an interview with FOX 26 Houston that McDougal occasionally assisted Audrii by driving her to the bus stop or school when she missed the bus. McDougal resided in a camper behind Audrii’s residence.
Efforts are now focused on reconstructing McDougal’s movements on the critical morning of Feb. 15, with Sheriff Lyons revealing that McDougal has cooperated in showing investigators specific locations following his arrest.
The seriousness of the situation prompted a statewide Amber Alert on Feb. 16, intensifying efforts to locate Audrii. Sheriff Lyons acknowledged the likelihood that a backpack found in a wooded area near the Livingston Dam belonged to Audrii, further complicating the ongoing investigation.
McDougal’s extensive criminal history, dating back to the early 2000s, includes charges ranging from child enticement to assault of a family member and evading arrest. Investigators are urging the public to submit any video footage of FM 3126 in Polk County between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 15 to aid in understanding the tragic sequence of events.
As the community mourns the loss of Audrii Cunningham, authorities continue to seek public assistance in unraveling the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking incident.
Sources: Fox News