Texas authorities have lifted the Amber Alert for 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham after discovering her lifeless body in a local river, as reported by Fox 26. The Polk County District Attorney’s office, led by DA Shelly Sitton, is reportedly initiating legal action against Don Steven McDougal, 42, in connection with the case.
DA Sitton has disclosed that an arrest warrant for potential capital murder charges is being prepared against McDougal, with the decision on pursuing the death penalty still pending. McDougal, who is currently in custody on an unrelated assault charge, was a friend of the victim’s father and resided in a trailer on the family’s property.
An autopsy is underway to determine the cause of Cunningham’s death. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation, examining cellphone data, video evidence, and McDougal’s statements for insights into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
Despite McDougal providing hints about the location of Cunningham’s body, officials believe their investigation would have led to her discovery without his information. The specific details of the investigation methods, especially those leading to the recovery of Cunningham’s body, are being kept confidential.
The Amber Alert for Audrii Cunningham was issued on February 15 when she did not board her school bus and was reported absent from school. McDougal was reportedly the last person seen with her, prompting a comprehensive investigation into the tragic case.
