A Texas man named as a person of interest in the disappearance of Audrey Cunningham was a babysitter for an 11-year-old girl, according to local reports.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS) Southeast Region on Saturday named Don Stephen McDougal, 42, a person of interest in the girl’s disappearance, and Polk County Sheriff’s Office officials said Friday that he was suspected of being shot by a deadly weapon. The suspect was arrested on an unrelated charge of aggravated assault. . Video footage obtained by FOX 26 shows McDougall in Livingston on Feb. 16, prior to his arrest.
Audrey’s mother, Kathy Matthews, told FOX 26 Houston that McDougal is friends with Audrey’s father and will babysit the 11-year-old girl while Audrey stays with her father. He said he believed that.
Audrey has been missing since the morning of February 15th, when she was last seen at her home in the 100 block of Lakeside Drive in Polk County, Texas.
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Don Stephen McDougall has been named a person of interest in connection with the February 15 disappearance of 11-year-old Audrey Cunningham of Polk County, Texas. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office/TDPS)
The 11-year-old girl “should have boarded a school bus at a nearby bus stop, but school officials reported to the sheriff’s office that the school bus did not pick up Audrey and she did not notify the school.” Polk County officials said. said in a press release.
A statewide Amber Alert was issued on February 17th.
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Texas authorities issued a statewide Amber Alert for Audrey Cunningham on February 17th. (Facebook/Joshua Cunningham)
McDougall has not been charged in Audrey’s disappearance, but investigators believe there may have been foul play, the report said. Fox 26.
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The 42-year-old has an extensive criminal history dating back to the early 2000s. His charges range from child enticement in 2008 in Brazoria County to assault on a family member and evading arrest in Liberty County, among dozens of other crimes.
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Don Stephen McDougall has a long criminal history dating back to the early 2000s. (Liberty County)
Authorities are still searching for McDougall’s dark blue 2003 Chevrolet Suburban, which they believe was involved in Audrey’s disappearance.
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The Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced that a backpack believed to belong to Audrey was found near Livingston Lake Dam on February 16th.
Audrey Cunningham was scheduled to board the school bus on February 15th, but she didn’t make it in time, authorities said. (Polk County Sheriff)
“This investigation remains active and ongoing. If you have any information related to the disappearance, please contact us.[arance] In the case of 11-year-old Audrey Cunningham, please contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office,” TDPS Southeast said in a Feb. 17 Facebook post.
Don Stephen McDougall was convicted of child enticement in 2008. (Facebook)
Polk County officials said Audrey was a white female with blonde hair and blue eyes and weighed 75 pounds. She is approximately 4 feet 1 inch tall. She was last seen wearing black pants, a black hoodie with white lettering, black high-tip shoes and carrying a bright red Hello Kitty backpack.
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Authorities are offering a $7,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in Audrey’s disappearance.
