Authorities in Livingston, Texas are continuing their search for 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, who went missing on February 15th. Despite reaching the fifth day of the search, there has been no sign of Audrii since she was supposed to be dropped off at her bus stop but never arrived. The statewide Amber Alert was issued on the same day as her disappearance, raising concerns for her safety and well-being.
Don Steven McDougal, a 42-year-old person of interest in Audrii’s disappearance, was arrested on an unrelated aggravated assault charge and is currently being held in the Polk County Jail. McDougal is known to be Audrii’s father’s roommate and lives in a camper behind her home. Authorities have stated that he had a relationship with Audrii’s family and was the last person to see her. While he has been cooperating with investigators and leading them to search specific areas, he has not confessed to any involvement in her disappearance.
Search crews have been tirelessly scouring the Trinity River in Polk County, as well as various locations throughout the weekend. They discovered a backpack believed to belong to Audrii, but there has been no sign of the young girl. In a press conference on Monday, authorities urged the public to provide any video footage of FM 3126 from February 15th between 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. They have also increased the reward for information leading to an arrest in the case to $10,000.
During the press conference, authorities also addressed McDougal’s criminal history. He was convicted of enticing a minor in 2008 but was not required to register as a sex offender. Investigators have identified a vehicle of interest belonging to McDougal but have not ruled out the involvement of anyone else at this time.
Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons emphasized the importance of not jumping to conclusions and ensuring that all evidence collected is strong enough to hold up in court. While McDougal remains a person of interest, authorities are continuing to explore all possible leads and avenues.
As the search for Audrii Cunningham continues, her mother has expressed hope that her daughter will be found safe. Investigators paused their search near the Lake Livingston Dam in San Jacinto County on Friday evening. Anyone with information about Audrii’s disappearance is urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 936-327-6810.
The community of Livingston remains on high alert, with residents and authorities alike hoping for a breakthrough in the search for Audrii. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on finding the missing 11-year-old and bringing her home safely.
