Current:Home > InvestDon Steven McDougal indicted in murder, attempted kidnapping of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham -TradeWisdom
Don Steven McDougal indicted in murder, attempted kidnapping of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham
View
Date:2025-04-16 07:04:25
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.
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. DevS. Dev is a news editor for CBSNews.com.
veryGood! (46)
Related
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Maine police officer arrested after accusation of lying about missing person: Reports
- Powerball winning numbers for April 13 drawing: Did anyone win $46 million jackpot?
- In historic first, gymnast Morgan Price becomes first HBCU athlete to win national collegiate title
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- Look up (with a telescope): 2,000-foot long asteroid to pass by earth Monday
- An AP photographer explains how he captured the moment of eclipse totality
- Gun supervisor for ‘Rust’ movie to be sentenced for fatal shooting by Alec Baldwin on set
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Caitlin Clark joins 'Weekend Update' desk during surprise 'Saturday Night Live' appearance
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- How big is the Masters purse, and how much prize money does the winner get?
- Kobe Bryant's widow, Vanessa, gifts sneakers to Los Angeles Dodgers
- How much did 2024 Masters winner earn? Payouts by position, purse at Augusta National
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- 4 arrested, bodies found in connection with disappearance of 2 women in Oklahoma
- Four people charged in the case of 2 women missing from Oklahoma
- U.S. will not participate in reprisal strike against Iran, senior administration official says
Recommendation
Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
Justin Bieber Makes Rare Appearance During Coachella 2024 Performance
Native American-led nonprofit says it bought 40 acres in the Black Hills of South Dakota
'Civil War': Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny break down 'heartbreaking' yet disturbing ending
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
NBA play-in game tournament features big stars. See the matchups, schedule and TV
Maine is latest state to approve interstate compact for social worker licenses
How to tackle crime in Indian Country? Empower tribal justice, ex-Justice Department official says