Authorities in Texas are desperately searching for an 11-year-old girl who went missing after missing her school bus Thursday, but the only trace of the child was a “Hello Kitty” backpack found near a reservoir. .
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has identified a person of interest in the heartbreaking case that began last week when Audrey Cunningham failed to board a bus at a stop near her home around 7 a.m., the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said. The place announced. In a news release.
An amber alert was immediately issued to search for the 4ft 1in tall girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing black pants, a black hoodie, and carrying a bright red Hello Kitty-style backpack.
A person of interest, Don Stephen McDougall, 42, was taken into custody Friday on an unrelated aggravated assault charge. This was announced by state authorities.
Investigators suspect McDougal’s dark blue 2003 Chevrolet Suburban was involved in Cunningham’s disappearance, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
State police also confirmed that law enforcement found a small backpack believed to belong to the girl near the dam on Lake Livingston.
“We want her to come home. It’s not like her to just run away or disappear. She has a lot of loving family members who love her and adore her.” There are a lot of people who do that,” said concerned mother Kathy Matthews. told the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea The day after she disappeared.
Matthews said her daughter is currently living with her father and grandmother.
“Tough is an understatement. This is like what you see on TV and I can only imagine what the families and parents are going through, but words cannot describe it,” she told the station. told.
“There’s more than one emotion you feel, it’s a roller coaster, you’re broken, you’re angry, you’re empty, and now I’m empty.
“There are so many opportunities ahead of her and she has every right to reach those opportunities.”
The sheriff’s office said the investigation into Cunningham’s whereabouts is “active and ongoing,” with assistance from multiple agencies, including the FBI.
Officials said Sunday that friends of the girl’s family were at the lake praying for her safe return.
“I know Audrey loved her grandmother, father, brother and family,” resident Chris Booth said. To the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. “We want to take Audrey home.”
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The Texas Department of Public Safety is offering a $7,000 reward for information related to this case.
“Investigators continue to actively pursue leads in this case, but there are no significant updates to report at this time,” the department said. “However, law enforcement remains grateful for all the information provided and the efforts of everyone involved in the search for Audrey.”
