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Audrii Cunningham missing: New details revealed
The search for 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham from Livingston continues after she was reported missing on Thursday. FOX 26's Sherman Desselle has the latest on a person of interest and a suspected vehicle involved in the case.
HOUSTON - According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a possible suspect in the disappearance of Audrii Cunningham, 11, has been identified.
Texas DPS held a press conference at the Polk County Judicial Center in Livingston on Saturday, giving new details surrounding Cunningham's disappearance.
During a press conference, Lieutenant Craig Cummings said, "We have one person that we are looking at right now as a person of interest and that is Don Steven McDougal, 42, of Livingston."
RELATED: Texas Amber Alert: Missing Audrii Cunningham from Livingston didn't get on school bus
Lt. Cummings said McDougal was arrested on Friday for an unrelated aggravated assault charge. McDougal's SUV was also identified by deputies as the one spotted by witnesses. Deputies say they have the car in their possession.
Don Steven McDougal, 42. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a possible suspect in the disappearance of Audrii Cunningham, 11, has been identified.
McDougal is reported as the last person known to be with Cunningham before she disappeared before school on Thursday.
According to court records, McDougal has previous offenses going back to 2005, including verbal harassment, reckless driving, theft, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was even charged with enticing a child in Brazoria County.
While searching for the 11-year-old, investigators say they found a child's backpack near a river on Friday near where they were searching.
Deputies say officials will be searching through the backpack to find out what is inside. Lt. Cummings said deputies believe from the evidence gathered that foul play was a factor.
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Audrii Cunningham search: Person of interest named
Texas DPS gives more details in the search of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham who went missing on Thursday in Livingston. FOX 26's Jade Flury reports on their ongoing search efforts and the person of interest identified in the girl's disappearance.
According to a tweet posted Saturday at 7:10 a.m., the Texas Department of Public Safety said investigators believe the 2003 dark blue Chevrolet Suburban is a vehicle of interest in the search for the 11-year-old Polk County resident.
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TxDPS deputies arrest Livingston man connected to missing 11-year-old
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a possible suspect in the disappearance of Audrii Cunningham, 11, has been identified.
Authorities are now asking anyone who saw McDougal's SUV on Thursday or Friday to call Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Polk County Crime Stoppers is also offering a $7,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person responsible for Cunningham's disappearance.
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Officials believed that Audrii had been missing since 7 a.m. on Thursday. Her family reported her missing after she didn't get off the bus at the end of the day Thursday, reporting an AMBER Alert in search of their daughter. Authorities say Audrii didn't get on the school bus or attend school on Thursday morning.
Texas DPS identify a 2003 dark blue Chevrolet Suburban as a vehicle of interest
Audrii Cunningham's mom, Cassie Matthews, said, "She’s a well-taken care of child."
AMBER ALERT: 11-year-old girl from Livingston didn't get on school bus Thursday
In a press conference on Feb. 16, at the center of an AMBER Alert, Matthews asked for the public's help to locate her daughter.
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Mother of missing 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham speaks
The mother of Audrii Cunningham, the 11-year-old who is at the center of an Amber Alert says she just wants her daughter back home. Cunningham was reported missing on Thursday after she didn't get off the bus at school.
Matthews said, "I would just like to get the word out that we would like to have her come home. It's not like her to, you know, just run off or disappear. She has a loving family. She has so many people that love her and adore her. She's very well taken care of, and we just miss her, and we don't understand. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. I just want the word to spread around as far as possible."
If you have any information on where Audrii is, contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office at (936) 327-6810 or call 911.