A small backpack believed to belong to Audrii Cunningham was found near the Lake Livingston Dam, close to the family residence. Authorities announced they are preparing the “appropriate arrest warrant” for 42-year-old Don Steven McDougal.
McDougal reportedly dropped Cunningham off at the school bus on the morning she disappeared. As of now, he shows a connection to the case. With cellphone records, videos, and information provided by McDougal, authorities successfully located the girl’s body.
According to police records, the timeline of the incident makes McDougal guilty. Hence, on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, they held McDougal without bond on a charge of capital murder. On Tuesday, February 20, officials found Cunningham’s lifeless body in the Trinity River along U.S. 59.
According to officials, the grim finding occurred five days after Audrii Cunningham went missing. Before the tragic discovery, on Saturday, February 17, they discovered Cunningham’s “Hello Kitty” backpack near a dam at Lake Livingston.
Authorities also revealed that they identified a “person of interest in her disappearance,” later confirming McDougal as the individual. On Friday, February 16, they took McDougal into custody on an unrelated charge of aggravated assault after the Cunninghams declared their child missing.
On Thursday, February 15, Audrii Cunningham’s parents alerted authorities when she did not get off the school bus that afternoon. Afterward, school officials informed investigators that the bus did not pick her up, and she did not attend school that day.
The unfolding drama started when the Texas police initiated a search for 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, who vanished after a family friend allegedly dropped her off at school. Authorities suspected an SUV linked to a man arrested on Friday, February 16, may have a connection with her disappearance.
Witnesses last saw Audrii Cunningham around 7 a.m. on Thursday, February 15, near her Polk County home. Despite her scheduled bus commute, school officials reported her absence, as she failed to board the bus or attend school that day.
Immediately, Texas authorities activated an Amber Alert for Audrii Cunningham, a 4 feet 1 inch tall, white 11-year-old girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. According to the alert, she wore black pants, a black hoodie with lettering, and black tennis shoes before disappearing.
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Elsewhere, 42-year-old McDougal was arrested on Friday, February 16, for suspected assault unrelated to Cunningham’s disappearance. The Southeast Texas region’s Department of Public Safety identified him as “one of the persons of interest” concerning the case.
During a press conference on Monday, February 19, authorities revealed that McDougal lives in a trailer behind the Cunninghams’ home. According to officials, he was a family friend who occasionally took the girl to the bus stop or school.
Law enforcement officials report that McDougal has yet to confess any involvement in Audrii Cunningham’s case. Moreover, he has been less than fully cooperative. They indicate he may have been the last person with her when she disappeared.
Detectives suspect that McDougal’s dark blue 2003 Chevrolet Suburban played a role in Cunningham’s disappearance. In efforts to encourage information sharing, officials announced a $10,000 reward for details leading to the arrest of the person responsible for her disappearance.
Despite Cunningham’s discovery, individuals with relevant information can still contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 936-327-6810. Likewise, people can submit confidential tips through the Polk County Crime Stoppers line at 936-327-7867 or anonymously online.
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