Audrii Cunningham: Texas cops arrest person of interest in 11-year-old girl's disappearance
LIVINGSTON, TEXAS: Authorities are actively pursuing leads in the search for Audrii Cunningham, 11, who was reported missing on her way to school after her father, Joshua Cunningham, dropped her off at the bus stop on the morning of Thursday, February 15.
The mother of the 11-year-old is fervently pleading for her daughter's safe return. Meanwhile, law enforcement has taken action by arresting Don Steven McDougal, 42, a person of interest in the case who had previously taken on a babysitting role for Audrii.
Identity of Audrii Cunningham
Audrii, a 4'1" girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, was last seen wearing a black hoodie, black pants, black high-top tennis shoes, and carrying a bright red 'Hello Kitty' style backpack when dropped off at the bus stop by her father.
The family is grappling with a roller coaster of emotions, as her mother, Cassie Matthews, expressed, "There is not one feeling you feel, it's a roller coaster, you are broken, you are mad, you are empty, and right now I am empty."
Audrii Cunningham's distraught mother appeals for help
Audrii, described as a vibrant girl with numerous opportunities ahead of her, has not been seen since her disappearance. Her heartbroken mother pleaded for any information that could lead to her daughter's whereabouts.
"We would like to have her come home, it's not like her to just run off or disappear, she has a lot of loving family, she has so many people that love her and adore her. We have no leads so we are grasping at any string, any signs, anything in general," she said.
"I am not going to be the same unless my baby is returned to me and neither is her family, any of us, any of her friends, any of the people that she has been connected to in the community," said Matthews, KPRC reported.
Suspicions of foul play arise in disappearance of Audrii Cunningham
The Polk County Sheriff's Office reported that Audrii disappeared around 7 am on Thursday, failing to board the school bus as scheduled. An Amber Alert was issued later that day, intensifying efforts to locate the missing girl.
On Saturday afternoon, Texas Department of Safety officials made a significant discovery, finding Audrii's backpack near a dam at Lake Livingston. McDougal, the person of interest, has been arrested on an unrelated charge of aggravated assault.
"I want to say that we are hopeful that we can bring Audrii home alive and that is what we are absolutely working for right now. Based on the evidence that we've got we understand foul play is a factor as well," Lieutenant Craig Cummings stated.
Authorities are now actively searching for McDougal's 2003 dark blue Chevrolet Suburban, believing it may be linked to Audrii's disappearance.
School officials confirmed that the 11-year-old was not picked up by the bus and did not attend school on the day of her disappearance. As the search continues, investigators are exploring areas close to Audrii's home, considering her love for wildlife.
