LIVINGSTON, Texas — Investigators with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office have named Don Stephen McDougall as the “key person of interest” in the disappearance of 11-year-old Audrey Cunningham. Audrey went missing early Thursday morning in southern Polk County.
Texas Department of Public Safety Lt. Greg Cummings told reporters on behalf of Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons and District Attorney Sherry Sitton that they have not found Audrey, who has been missing since February 15. he said. Investigators confirmed rumors that they had found the backpack. It matches Audrey’s near Livingston Dam Lake, where search efforts were focused on Friday.
Mr Cummings identified Don Stephen McDougall, 42, of Livingston, as the “key person of interest” in Audrey’s disappearance. He added that McDougall was arrested Friday night on an unrelated charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Don Stephen McDougall (Texas Law Enforcement Agency Mugshot)
Breitbart Texas has learned from a source familiar with the crime that McDougall allegedly stabbed David Stanley with a knife on August 19, 2023. No bail has been set for the assault charge.
Miguel Benavidez, an independent journalist from Crockett, Texas, reported seeing McDougal on the US 59 Trinity River Bridge on Saturday afternoon, just before the press conference. Witnesses said the man was wearing striped pants, shorts and boots and was shackled. Benavidez didn’t understand exactly what McDougal was doing when police asked him to leave the area under the bridge.
Breitbart Texas asked Lt. Cummings why McDougal was on the bridge and what he was doing.
“It’s part of an ongoing investigation,” Cummings responded. “I don’t want to be involved in these investigative activities, but the investigation is certainly ongoing.”
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Mr Cummings insisted he still held out hope that Audrey would be safely returned to her family, but said: “Based on the evidence we have, we understand that foul play was also a factor.” Ta.
A spokesperson asked for the public’s help in reporting information regarding the whereabouts of McDougal’s blue Chevrolet Suburban before he is taken into custody on Thursday or Friday. He announced that Polk County Crime Stoppers is offering a $7,000 reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of those responsible for Audrey’s disappearance.
McDougall was reportedly the last person known to have been with 11-year-old Audrey Cunningham before she disappeared before school on February 15th. A Polk County government official who was not authorized to speak to the media told Breitbart Texas that McDougal was a suspect. Wednesday morning to take Audrey to the school bus stop. No one saw her at her bus stop. She never arrived at the bus stop or school.
Texas Rangers interviewed McDougall throughout the day Friday, officials said. Later that day, Polk County investigators arrested McDougall on an unrelated assault charge.
Texas Equusearch will join the effort to find Audrey Cunningham on February 17th. (Bob Price/Breitbart Texas)
texas Exsearch They arrived Saturday to bring additional resources and equipment to assist in the search for Audrey. Texas EquuSearch is a nonprofit organization specializing in difficult search and recovery operations. Tim Miller founded the organization after his own 16-year-old daughter was kidnapped and murdered in 1984. Between 25 and 50 volunteers arrived to help search for Audrey.
bob price He is an associate editor and senior news contributor for Breitbart’s Texas Border team. He is an original member of the Breitbart Texas team.Price is a regular panelist on Fox 26 Houston What is your point? sunday morning talk show.He is also the president of blue wonder cancer care products.
