Don Steven McDougal indicted in murder, attempted kidnapping of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham

2024-12-25 15:01:39 source:lotradecoin daily trading volume statistics category:Contact

A Texas grand jury indicted Don Steven McDougal on two counts of capital murder on Monday in the death of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, court documents showed.

McDougal, a family friend, was indicted in Polk County on charges of intentionally and knowingly causing the death of Audrii by blunt force trauma to the head with an unknown object and of causing her death while committing or attempting to commit kidnapping.

Audrii was reported missing after not boarding her neighborhood school bus on the morning of Feb. 15, CBS Texas reported. She was last seen near her home in Livingston, Texas, about 75 miles northeast of Houston. 

Audrii Cunningham Polk County Sheriff's Office

McDougal was arrested the next day on an unrelated charge of aggravated assault, CBS Texas reported. He was then named as a person of interest in Audrii's disappearance after witnesses linked his dark blue Chevrolet Suburban to the case. 

Audrii's body was found in the Trinity River on Feb. 20, about 10 miles from her home. 

"She was perfection," Cassie Matthews, Audrii's mother, said about her daughter at a vigil held the day after Audrii's body was found. Family and friends gathered for the vigil wearing purple and carrying purple balloons as they prayed. 

—Caitlin O'Kane contributed reporting.

S. Dev

S. Dev is a news editor for CBSNews.com.

More:Contact

Recommend

Democrats try to block Green Party from presidential ballot in Wisconsin, citing legal issues

MADISON, Wis . (AP) — A member of the Democratic National Committee filed a complaint Wednesday seek

Real Housewives' Melissa Gorga Shares a Hack To Fit Triple the Amount of Clothes in Your Suitcase

We included these products chosen by Melissa Gorga because we think you'll like her picks at these p

Ron Washington won't let losses deter belief in Angels: 'Ain't no damn failure'

PHOENIX − Ron Washington’s wife pleaded with him.His friends from New Orleans openly questioned whet