The ‘person of interest’ in the case of missing 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham in Texas has been revealed as having a swastika tattoo with an ex-con whose previous offenses include seducing children.
Don Steven McDougal has not been charged in connection with Cunningham’s disappearance and is being held on a separate assault charge stemming from an August 2023 incident.
McDougal, 42, is a career criminal with a lengthy criminal record dating back to 2001. Cunningham’s mother, Cassie Matthews, said Fox Houston that she believes McDougal and the father of her child live together.
In 2008, McDougal was found guilty of two counts of child enticement and sentenced to two years in prison for each.
Cunningham went missing early Thursday morning in Livingston, northeast of Houston, after being dropped off at the bus stop by father Joshua Cunningham.
McDougal pictured on his Facebook page shortly after his release from prison in 2020
11-year-old Audrii disappeared early Thursday morning in Livingston, northeast of Houston, after being dropped off at the bus stop and has not been seen since.
“There’s not one feeling you feel, it’s a rollercoaster, you’re broken, you’re angry, you’re empty and right now I’m empty. She has so many opportunities in front of her, and she deserves every right to be able to take advantage of those opportunities,” said mother Cassie Matthews.
Cunningham’s father, Joshua, would leave his daughter in McDougal’s car while he went to work
Matthews said McDougal would regularly be responsible for keeping an eye on Cunningham while the girl’s father was at work. She added that she only learned of this arrangement after her daughter disappeared.
Social media photos show McDougal has a swastika tattooed on the top of his left arm. In a post from January 2020, the person of interest said he had just been released from prison.
McDougal and Joshua Cunningham are friends on Facebook.
Police found a backpack believed to belong to Cunningham, as well as other unspecified items believed to belong to a young child, near the Lake Livingston Dam on Friday.
Officials have said they believe foul play is involved in the disappearance and while they hope she will be found alive, the frigid temperatures felt in the area at night make that unlikely.
Authorities are also looking for a dark blue 2003 Chevrolet Suburban in connection with the disappearance. The car belongs to McDougal.
“She has so many opportunities in front of her and deserves every right to seize those opportunities,” her mother said I LOVE in a heartbreaking interview.
“She should be at home where we know she’s safe, and she’s warm, and she’s fed, and she needs to be with her little brother. She should do what Audrii does: smile, laugh, make everyone laugh,” she added.
Police are now looking for McDougal’s dark blue 2003 Chevrolet Suburban, which may be linked to the juvenile’s disappearance, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.
On Saturday afternoon, Texas Department of Safety officials announced they had found the girl’s backpack near a dam on Lake Livingston
In several photos posted online, McDougal proudly displays his swastika tattoo
Matthew told KPRC in a separate interview: ‘There’s not one feeling you feel, it’s a rollercoaster, you’re broken, you’re angry, you’re empty and right now I’m empty.
“She has so many opportunities in front of her, and she deserves every right to be able to take advantage of those opportunities.
‘We would like her to come home, it’s not her thing to just run away or disappear. She has a lot of loving family, she has so many people who love and adore her. We have no clues, so we grab for any string, any sign, anything in general.
“I will not be the same unless my baby is returned to me, and that includes her family, all of us, her friends and the people she is connected to in the community.”
A neighbor told Fox Houston she saw McDougal at Cunningham’s father’s house. That woman, Denise Kolojaco, said she sees Cunningham walking to the bus stop for her school bus every day. The last time she saw her was February 14.
“She walked by and gave my dog some love, and I told her Happy Valentine’s Day,” Kolojack said. “We love you, and we want you home, Audrii. I’m sorry, girl.’
A prayer service for Cunningham was held Sunday evening in Livingston.
“Audrii was very well-liked and all that. Audrii was well taken care of. Audrii is missed. We want her home,” a family spokesperson told the crowd, while also asking people not to spread rumors on social media.
Anyone with information on Audrii’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 936-327-6810.
Audrii, who is 6 feet tall, has blonde hair and blue eyes, wore a black hoodie with white lettering, black pants, black high-top tennis shoes and a bright red “Hello Kitty” style backpack when she was little. last seen.