Audrii Cunningham, an 11-year-old girl from Livingstone, Texas, was found deceased in the Trinity River on Tuesday. Audrii disappeared on February 15th after leaving her home to go to the school bus stop; Audrii never arrived at the bus stop or school. Audrii’s family initially reported her missing on the 15th when she didn’t return from school.
The 11-year-old’s body was found in the Trinity River near the US Highway 59 bridge in Livingston, Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons confirmed during a Tuesday press conference.
“We will continue to process the evidence that has been gathered to ensure that there is justice for Audrii,” Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons said.
Polk County District Attorney Shelly Sitton said her office is preparing arrest warrants for Don Steven McDougal, 42, in connection with Cunningham’s Feb. 15 disappearance. They are eyeing capital murder charges.
McDougal was known to the girl and her family.
McDougal was arrested on Friday on unrelated charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and gave him “several opportunities to cooperate” with their investigation into Audrii’s disappearance, said Lt. Craig Cummings, spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety in Southeast Texas.
“He was probably taking her to…the bus stop, and we do feel that he was the last person to…
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