As the search for 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham enters its fifth day, Polk County officials have intensified their efforts, zeroing in on 42-year-old Don Steven McDougal, who was last seen with the missing girl. McDougal, described as a friend of Audrii's father, is now being held in custody on an unrelated aggravated assault charge, while officials publicly name him as their primary person of interest in Audrii's disappearance.
In a press conference, Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons said McDougal had admitted to leaving the house with the girl early Thursday morning but has not provided details on whether he dropped her off at the bus stop. Investigators to thoroughly comb through any video footage of FM 3126, hoping to spot McDougal's 2003 blue Chevrolet Suburban during the time frame when Audrii vanished.“I am not giving up hope that we'll be able to bring Audrii home. So yes, I am hoping that she is still alive. And we're going to work just as hard to make sure that we do everything that we can to try to bring our home.” Lyons stated, according to an interview by the Houston Chronicle.
Authorities have revealed that Audrii was seen around 7 a.m. before her expected arrival at the school bus, which she never boarded. McDougal, who previously has a conviction for enticing a child with intent to commit a felony, is under scrutiny, with law enforcement to explore his possible ties to the Aryan Brotherhood, as reported by ABC13.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office and Texas Rangers continue to appeal to the public for any video material or tips that could aid in piecing together Audrii's last known movements. A reward of $10,000 is now on offer for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case. "We want to make sure that whatever evidence that we collect and that we place on an affidavit today is going to be something that's going to hold up in the court later. It does us no good to prematurely charge you now. And then three, four months from now get tossed out of court because we were moving too fast. So, I ask you, please understand, as we work carefully through this, because Audrii deserves this." Lyons explained, emphasizing the careful approach authorities are taking, as reported by ABC13.
While McDougal has not confessed to any involvement in Audrii's disappearance, authorities have noted that he is cooperating, having agreed to take them to multiple locations of interest. However, officials remain cautious, as previously acknowledged by Sheriff Lyons in a statement to the Houston Chronicle. The public is urged to report any sightings or provide information through the sheriff's office website or the iWatchTexas online platform.
