Staff Reports
The disappearance of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham in East Texas has sparked a massive investigation by local authorities. The young girl went missing last Thursday while waiting for her school bus near her home in Livingston, Texas. Despite her scheduled bus pick-up time, Audrii never made it onto the bus or showed up at school, causing great concern for her wellbeing.
Missing Texas girl, Audrii Cunningham, 11, last seen Thursday https://t.co/xWi005SgXA https://t.co/xWi005SgXA
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) February 20, 2024
Adding to the mystery, a bright red ‘Hello Kitty’ backpack, similar to the one Audrii was carrying, was discovered near the Lake Livingston Dam, not far from her residence. This area, folks, is home to the large Lake Livingston, which provides water to Houston and other East Texas cities.
Now, the case takes a dark turn as an individual named Don Steve McDougal has been apprehended on an unrelated assault charge and is connected to Audrii’s disappearance. McDougal has a troubling criminal history, including previous charges related to children. Audrii’s mother, Cassie Matthews, has made alarming claims that McDougal had ties to her daughter through Audrii’s father, though this has yet to be confirmed by authorities.
This heartbreaking situation has left Audrii’s mother, Cassie Matthews, utterly devastated, a feeling any parent can sympathize with. She expressed her anguish, stating, “There’s not words for it… You are broken, you are mad, you are empty. And right now, I am empty.”
As the search for Audrii intensifies, multiple law enforcement agencies and local fire departments have joined forces to aid the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in their efforts. Their message is clear: anyone with information regarding Audrii’s whereabouts is urged to come forward and assist in bringing the young girl back home safely.
