BREAKING: Texas DPS, Polk Co. Sheriff Give Update on Missing Girl

Texas DPS and Polk County Sheriff Provide Update on Missing Girl

The Texas Department of Public Safety conducted a press conference just after 2:30 today at the Polk County Judicial Center at 101 West Mill Street in Livingston. A representative from the DPS along with Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons provided an update on the ongoing search and investigation into the disappearance of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham.

An Amber Alert was issued Thursday, February 15  when it was discovered that Cunningham never made it to her school bus Thursday morning, and subsequently never made it to class. She was last seen early Thursday morning near the 100 block of Lakeside Drive, near Lake Livingston, and just to the west of Lake Livingston State Park.

During the press conference, the public was thanked for their tips and prayers. Some of those tips came in the form of videos that showed FM 3126 during the timeline of Thursday morning between 6:30 and 8.

Anyone with video surveillance of that specific highway during that time is asked to contact law enforcement.

The Primary Person of Interest, and His Ties to This Case

Don Steven McDougal was named as a person of interest and was arrested on Friday on a non-related charge of aggravated assault. He remains in the Polk County Jail. He also remains the primary person of interest in this case.

Authorities have indicated that they have given McDougal the opportunity to be fully cooperative, but have only received partial information from him. Leads provided by McDougal have not been fruitful.

McDougal is reported to live in a trailer near the home of Audrii Cunningham. In the past, he has allegedly been responsible for taking Audrii to the bus stop and/or to school.

Authorities are asking well-meaning individuals to stay clear of the ongoing investigation sites, specifically around the Scenic Loop (FM 3277) area.  Law enforcement and first responders are using Tigerville Park as a staging area.

The reward for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for Audrri Cunningham's disappearance has been increased to $10,000 by Polk County Crimestoppers.

The entirety of this afternoon's press conference can be viewed below.

Please continue to keep Audrii and her family and friends in your prayers.