Audrii Cunningham latest: Don Steven McDougal updates
Don Steven McDougal is a person of interest in the search for missing 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham. Crews are searching Lake Livingston.
Livingston, Texas -- The Texas Department of Public Safety has identified a person of interest in the search for 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, who is at the center of an AMBER Alert. The person of interest has been named as Don Steven McDougal, a 42-year-old from Livingston. McDougal's dark blue 2003 Chevrolet Suburban has also been identified as a vehicle of interest in the search for Audrii. McDougal was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail late Friday night on unrelated aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges. Records show that McDougal has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2001, including a conviction in 2007 for enticing a minor with intent out of Brazoria County. It is important to note that McDougal has not been named as a suspect in the case.
Search efforts for Audrii have been ongoing, with Texas EquuSearch crews showing up at Lake Livingston to look for the girl around 6 a.m. on Saturday. The search had previously been paused on Friday evening. The Texas Department of Public Safety had identified an area near the south end of the lake as a "location of interest" based on leads. EquuSearch has now expanded their search to an area near I-59 and the Trinity River.
On Friday, investigators identified a backpack at the Lake Livingston dam that is consistent with belonging to a child. The backpack was found about 5 miles from Audrii's home. The Polk County Sheriff's Office is offering a $7,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.
Audrii's mother, Casey Matthews, has reported that Audrii stays with her dad, her grandmother, and a man who allegedly dropped her off at her bus stop on Thursday morning. Audrii hasn't been seen since 7 a.m. Thursday. Her family reported her missing after she didn't get off the bus Thursday afternoon, which prompted an AMBER Alert. Investigators learned that Audrii never got on the school bus Thursday morning, nor did she attend school. Audrii has blonde hair and blue eyes, is about 4 feet and 1 inch tall, and weighs about 75 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black hoodie with white lettering, a camo backpack, black pants, and black high-top tennis shoes.
Investigators are actively speaking to persons of interest and are asking anyone with information on Audrii's disappearance to call either the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 936-327-6810 or 911. Information can also be reported on the iWatchTexas App. The Texas DPS, Texas Rangers, San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office, the Polk County Sheriff's Office, and the FBI are all working together to bring Audrii home safely.
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