TX AUDRII CUNNINGHAM: Missing from Livingston, TX - 15 Feb 2024 - Age 11 *Found Deceased**PLEA DEAL*

11-year-old Audrii Cunningham's mom says missing girl's backpack may have been found in search area

"Right now, I'm empty," the mother of the missing 11-year-old said. "I'm being told that they have possibly found her backpack in this area, but no signs of her."

abc13.com

Amber Alert triggered for 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, who may have been abducted, Texas DPS says​

Texas authorities are working on an active investigation for a missing 11-year-old girl from Livingston.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Audrii Cunningham was last seen at about 7 a.m. on Feb. 15 in the 100 block of Lakeside Drive in Polk County.

Her family first reported Audrii missing at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday when she didn't arrive home on the school bus. The investigation then discovered that Audrii never got on the school bus that morning.

According to Lt. Craig Cummings with Texas DPS, investigators are actively talking with persons of interest in the case. They have search boats in the area and are bringing in dogs and additional equipment.

In a press conference on Friday afternoon, Lt. Cummings described the situation as an "all-hands-on-deck investigation." The FBI is assisting the Texas Rangers, the Polk County and San Jacinto County sheriff's offices.

DPS refused to give any further specifics about how Audrii may have vanished. They are talking with persons of interest. Audrii's family is said to be fully cooperating with authorities.

"The focus right now is on bringing Audrii home," Lt. Cummings said.

Adding that "no tip is too small," authorities urge anyone who may have seen Audrii to contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 936-327-6810.

Media - AUDRII CUNNINGHAM: Missing from Livingston, TX - 15 Feb 2024 - Age 11

 

[GrandmaBear]

Not the first time such has happened, looked to be released when transferred. Idiots run the world. Or don't know how to do their job.

It says RELEASED from CUSTODY. Again have seen such before.

So happy they are concerned about visitation for him. HE MURDERED a DEFENSELESS CHILD. But like basically all these days, they will go all the way to trial with it, about ten years from now perhaps.

Repeating. Just because it should be repeated.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Polk County DA seeks death penalty for Audrii Cunningham's suspected murderer

The Livingston man suspected of killing 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham in February now faces death.

www.kltv.com

Polk County DA seeks death penalty for Audrii Cunningham's suspected murderer​

The Livingston man suspected of killing 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham in February now faces death.

According to a pretrial motion, the Polk County District Attorney’s office is seeking the death penalty for Don Steven McDougal, 42, in his trial for Cunningham’s murder. A trial date has not yet been set, but McDougal is next set for a court appearance on Aug. 21.

 

[GrandmaBear]

GOOD. He should get the DP. This is one of the most heinous I've seen in this past year.

And every state should bring it back and make it work.

@Mel70

 

[Mel70]

GOOD. He should get the DP. This is one of the most heinous I've seen in this past year.

And every state should bring it back and make it work.

@Mel70

I was reading up on this a bit. HE IS A CREEP!! Looks like it too!!! Ugh. Charged before with "Enticemement of a child". YEAH!!! Set him free!!! Great idea!!!!: This was apparently dad's friend. Death penalty!!! I'm glad Texas STILL doesn't F around. GOD BLESS TEXAS!!!

 

[Mel70]

Wow. Still watching. Kind of ambivalent about her normally but she has went up higher for me over this one. Strong words about it all. Not very forgiiving, gee I can't argue wtih that in this case. And I loved her blah, blah, blah. I and a friend just used those words today.

Asking what the fricking he77 he was doing out? Yes, WHY was he? I and a few say that ALL of the TIME.

Should she be more forgiving??

Bull. About time some say it like it IS and about the WRONG things going on.

I'm nowhere near through it and need to go to bed, will finish in morn but WELL worth watching so far.

@Mel70 you HAVE to watch this. You wil agree on the DP and needle and all. She does knock TX for this guy being LOOSE and getting deals but she calls out the b.s. and says they need to GIVE HIM THE DP/NEEDLE. Imagine someone SAYING THAT! Way to go Nancy. Boy is she on my fine list at the moment.

I'm not through it but she has had on the Exxon clerk and then Tim Miller. They found her pants by the river Little doubt what that means. What a freaking MONSTER.

Forgiveness. Okay. Not Nancy and she SAYS SO.

I am surprised at Texas. But the whole dam system is broken!!! ANOTHER ONE set free to reoffend!!!

 

[GrandmaBear]

I was reading up on this a bit. HE IS A CREEP!! Looks like it too!!! Ugh. Charged before with "Inticemement of a child". YEAH!!! Set him free!!! Great idea!!!!: This was apparently dad's friend. Death penalty!!! I'm glad Texas STILL doesn't F around. GOD BLESS TEXAS!!!

Yeah, this one I would have one of my tops but it quit as far as information or discussion.

Yep, set some types free, really has worked out hasn't it? This namby pamby approach to things and as far as I'm concerned blood of others is on the hands of those that go along with such too of these last years on end. They may not be the perp but they are part of a culture that thinks oh let's just not judge, give them another chance, let whoever out, to see if he has learned his lesson until another child, or person or anyone is hurt again...

This approach and experimen has failed times a million and of course there are some that don't even get it. Or care. Of course many are the products of certain generations and areas that they can't see it. You don't sacrifice 40 children for ONE disgusting man/perp. You don't sacrifice the safety of the community.

THIS one would have become a pet case but again it went silent. It's NEVER off my brain or radar though.

 

[Mel70]

Admission of "Dropping the ball". Doesn't do much good now!!!! I have to question the parents choice in friends. See photos. TRASH!!! HE IS TRASH!!! They did know?. All those tattoos?.

Audrii Cunningham: Sheriff admits 'dropping the ball' by failing to arrest suspect earlier in assault case

Police admitted to missing crucial chances to apprehend Audrii Cunningham's murder suspect Don McDougal in an assault case

news.meaww.com

 

[Mel70]

OK. Further reading. Yeah. 2nd chances. Well, Your child is more important.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Admission of "Dropping the ball". Doesn't do much good now!!!! I have to question the parents choice in friends. See photos. TRASH!!! HE IS TRASH!!! They did know?. All those tattoos?.

Audrii Cunningham: Sheriff admits 'dropping the ball' by failing to arrest suspect earlier in assault case

Police admitted to missing crucial chances to apprehend Audrii Cunningham's murder suspect Don McDougal in an assault case

news.meaww.com

YES, absolutely shocking this father and it was grandmother wasn't it, had this man on their property and let her be with him, around him alone, etc... and her mother coudln't have custody if I recall or was trying for it... SMDH.

People quit talking about it and it has had no updates but I recall most of it because it was AWFUL. I'd maybe have to refresh a bit but not much. If you want to discuss, I'd be glad to. I love discussion although I hate the kinds of details cases like this have but I already know of it so that's no new shock...

 

[Mel70]

I looked for updates too. Nothing!!! "Dropping the ball". Say that, Then shut up. That's my take on it.

 

[Mel70]

Yeah, this one I would have one of my tops but it quit as far as information or discussion.

Yep, set some types free, really has worked out hasn't it? This namby pamby approach to things and as far as I'm concerned blood of others is on the hands of those that go along with such too of these last years on end. They may not be the perp but they are part of a culture that thinks oh let's just not judge, give them another chance, let whoever out, to see if he has learned his lesson until another child, or person or anyone is hurt again...

This approach and experimen has failed times a million and of course there are some that don't even get it. Or care. Of course many are the products of certain generations and areas that they can't see it. You don't sacrifice 40 children for ONE disgusting man/perp. You don't sacrifice the safety of the community.

THIS one would have become a pet case but again it went silent. It's NEVER off my brain or radar though.

This IS one book you can judge by the cover. And they let THIS THING OUT!!! WTF?!!!

 

[GrandmaBear]

I looked for updates too. Nothing!!! "Dropping the ball". Say that, Then shut up. That's my take on it.

yeah. news bites when it comes to crime. this perp has to have hearings scheduled at LEAST I would think. I'm sure there's some news even if it is about DELAYS as so many are. no time here to look up court sh*t and I don't know most states system and if one can do that online. I know my own and have shared such in some cases.

huge awful case and then nothing. that bites for family, imagine no news, no proceedings, etc. BUT in this case, a fair portion of her family are the ones that had this guy around with access to her... SMFH.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Special hearing to be held Friday for accused killer of Polk County 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham

A special hearing is scheduled to be held on Friday for the accused killer of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham.

www.click2houston.com

Special hearing to be held Friday for accused killer of Polk County 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham​

A special hearing is scheduled to be held on Friday for the accused killer of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham.

The hearing for Don Steven McDougal will be held at the Polk County Judicial Center Friday morning.

Details about what the hearing is about are limited, but it is related to the case and officials say more information will be provided after the hearing concludes.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Audrii Cunningham's killer takes plea deal putting him in prison for life

In February 2024, 11-year-old Audrii was found dead in the Trinity River after a dayslong search. Her killer was a friend of her father and had been allowed to live on their property.

abc13.com

Audrii Cunningham's killer takes plea deal putting him in prison for life​

The man responsible for killing an 11-year-old girl last year will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Don McDougal took a plea deal for the kidnapping and murder of Audrii Cunningham, the Polk County District Attorney's Office announced Friday. He accepted a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of appeal or parole.


McDougal was charged and indicted with capital murder, and while that charge can carry the death penalty, in this case authorities say he was not eligible for a death penalty sentence under the existing law. The DA's office stated that Texas law limits the ability of a prosecutor to seek the death penalty under circumstances where a defendant has significant documented intellectual and developmental disabilities.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Hmm. Doesn't seem like he got a deal if they couldn't pursue the death penalty anyhow. No complaints here though if he took responsibility and took no chance of appeal or parole. Not that it changes anything. At least he's off these streets and the public is safe from him.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

‘Rot in hell:’ Audrii Cunningham’s family shares incendiary words to killer before accepting plea deal

Don Steven McDougal, charged with the capital murder of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, has accepted a plea deal resulting in a life sentence without parole.

www.click2houston.com

‘Rot in hell:’ Audrii Cunningham’s family shares incendiary words to killer before accepting plea deal​

KPRC 2′s Gage Goulding was the only reporter in the courtroom as Don Steven McDougal accepted his plea deal and pleaded guilty to killing 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham.

When McDougal entered the courtroom, he had a freshly shaved bald head, a groomed red goatee, and was dressed in a black and white prison jumpsuit. He remained shackled and handcuffed throughout the proceedings.

McDougal was seen rolling his neck but never looked at or spoke to Audrii’s family. The only time he addressed the court was in response to the judge.

McDougal accepted the plea agreement voluntarily, pleading guilty to count two of capital murder. The state abandoned count one and explained that, while additional evidence could have been presented to make their case stronger, it was not disclosed to the defense.

The state prosecutor also noted that McDougal had four other pending cases, which were dismissed as part of the plea deal. The prosecutor emphasized that the dismissals were not due to a lack of evidence, but because the penalties for those charges would not have increased the severity of McDougal’s life sentence.


During the emotional hearing, Audrii Cunningham’s family members delivered emotional, yet incendiary, victim impact statements, addressing McDougal directly and expressing the profound pain and loss they have endured since Audrii’s death.

Audrii’s father, Josh Cunningham, struggled to speak through his grief, often pausing to regain his composure. Fighting back tears, he described his daughter as the “smartest, sweetest little girl,” saying, “She gave my family purpose, and you stole that from me.” He closed his statement by saying, “I hope you have a very short life sentence.”

Julie, Audrii’s aunt, was visibly emotional and cried throughout her entire statement. She reflected on the joy Audrii brought to her life, calling the day she first held her niece “the best day of my life.” Through tears, she said, “Because of you, we were forced to search desperately. Because of you, we had to bury our precious little girl. Because of you, we saw our community come together.” Julie concluded her statement by telling McDougal, “There’s no punishment severe enough for the things that you have done.”

Tabitha Munsch, Audrii’s grandmother, also delivered a heart-wrenching statement, sobbing heavily as she spoke. She referred to her granddaughter as their “little angel” and told McDougal, “You took away the life of our little angel. Your punishment in this life will never fit the crime. Nothing will ever bring her back, and that’s your fault.” Through her tears, she added, “May you rot in hell.”

Philip Munsch, Audrii’s grandfather, expressed a combination of heartbreak and anger, describing McDougal as “a monster, pretending to be her friend” who “violated her trust.” He called Audrii “a very talented and happy young lady” who “brightened the lives of all around her.” Philip recounted how his family had offered McDougal friendship, love, and even a place to live. He added, “May you burn in the eternity and the flames of hell.”

 

[GrandmaBear]

Very understandable. They HELP this man and he DOES THIS to them and to this child!

I hope also he rots in the hottest flames of HE77!

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Audrii’s Law Aims to Strengthen Texas Sex Offender Registry Requirements

Texas Representative Trent Ashby has proposed a new bill, Audrii’s Law, aimed at strengthening protections for children in Texas. The legislation would require those convicted of child grooming to register as sex offenders. Ashby introduced the bill in memory of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham...

www.crimeonline.com

Audrii’s Law Aims to Strengthen Texas Sex Offender Registry Requirements​

Texas Representative Trent Ashby has proposed a new bill, Audrii’s Law, aimed at strengthening protections for children in Texas.

The legislation would require those convicted of child grooming to register as sex offenders. Ashby introduced the bill in memory of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, who was tragically murdered by a man with a prior record of predatory behavior.

“We can’t go back and change what happened to Audrii, but at the very least passing Audrii’s law will forever be her lasting legacy” Andy Kahan, Director of Houston Crime Stoppers, told CrimeOnline.


In 2007, McDougal faced accusations of attempting to molest a young girl but escaped registration on the sex offender list by accepting a plea deal. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of enticing a child, which does not mandate sex offender registration under current Texas law.

If the law passes, those convicted of child grooming will be required to join the Texas Sex Offender Registry, a provision that Texas law currently does not mandate. The bill would take effect for cases filed on or after September 1, 2025.

It is unconscionable that a violent criminal like McDougal was able to walk the streets without registering as a sex offender,” Ashby said. “Criminals with a history like McDougal need to be on a publicly available list so that people can protect themselves and their families from tragedies like what occurred in Polk County.”

 

[GrandmaBear]

Hopefully it not only passes but is STRONGLY ENFORCED.