Police in Texas say a car owned by a man arrested Friday may have been involved in her disappearance, and are appealing for information on the whereabouts of an 11-year-old girl who disappeared four days ago.
Audrey Cunningham was last seen at 7 a.m. local time on Thursday near her home in Polk County, Texas. She was scheduled to ride the bus, but authorities reported she did not ride the bus or show up to school that day, according to a statement from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
An Amber Alert has been issued and the Sheriff's Office is working with the Texas Rangers, Department of Public Safety, Livingston Police Department, and multiple local fire departments.
Audrey is described as white and approximately 4 feet 1 inch tall. She has blonde hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing black pants, a black hoodie with white lettering, and black tennis shoes.
On Friday, Don Stephen McDougal, 42, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault, but authorities said the incidents were unrelated. The state Department of Public Safety for the Southeastern Texas Region announced that he was a “person of interest” involved in the incident.
State authorities said in a statement that they believe Audrey's dark blue 2003 Chevrolet Suburban was involved in her disappearance and are asking anyone who saw her on Thursday or Friday to come forward.
A small backpack believed to be hers was found at a dam on Lake Livingston, not far from the Cunningham family's home.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 936-327-6810. Tips can be submitted anonymously through the Polk County Crime Stoppers line at 936-327-7867 or online at p3tips.com or iwatchtx.org.
