We proceed to study extra disturbing particulars in regards to the man suspected of killing Audrii Cunningham.
As we’ve reported, Don Steven McDougal has been charged with capital homicide in connection to the loss of life of the 11-year-old. Audrii was reported lacking on February 15 after she by no means made it to her bus cease or faculty that day. McDougal — a good friend of her father who lived in a trailer behind the Cunninghams — generally watched the kid and even introduced her to her bus cease that day. On the day of her disappearance, he had been the final particular person to see her alive, rapidly making him an individual of curiosity within the case.
When the 42-year-old was arrested on unrelated fees, his statements, together with telephone data and surveillance footage, led police to search out Audrii’s physique in Trinity River. Her stays had been tied to a rock with a rope on the backside. According to the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office, she died of “homicidal violence including blunt head trauma.” So, so terrible. As we talked about, McDougal has since been charged together with her homicide.
Related: Lawyer Says Convicting Accused Audrii Cunningham Killer Could Be Tricky
The different issues is, this isn’t the primary time the suspect has been in some severe bother with the regulation. Audrii isn’t even his first alleged underage sufferer — he was charged with engaging a minor a number of years in the past. Yeah, you learn that proper. McDougal was allowed to be alone with Audrii — regardless of him beforehand being charged with engaging a minor. And, , trying like that.
And now, the sufferer in that incident is talking out in regards to the horrors she skilled.
Carissa Davis defined to ABC 13 she was 10 years outdated in March 2007 when McDougal attended a household gathering at her uncle’s house in Brazoria County, Texas. His sisters had been associates of her household and introduced him alongside for the occasion. But that night rapidly grew to become a nightmare, Carissa says, when McDougal assaulted her. She recalled to the outlet:
“He came into the room that me and my cousin were sleeping in.”
Carissa stated McDougal pulled her cousin out of the mattress after which bought in together with her earlier than making an attempt to take off her pants:
“(He) tried to take down my pants, and I immediately jumped up at that moment. I remember looking at him. I was like, ‘Do you know how old I am?’”
When Carissa ran to the door, she remembered he went after her and “grabbed” her. But she wasn’t taking place with out a struggle. She recollects she “swung my arm” and “hit him.” McDougal continued to chase after her. But fortunately, Carissa was in a position to alert her aunt to what was occurring earlier than he may get to her once more. This poor woman.
After 17 years, Carissa ultimately noticed McDougal once more — when an image of him appeared in connection to Audrii’s disappearance. She instantly acknowledged him, even all these years later. Now, she can’t assist however surprise what may have occurred if she had not escaped him that evening. Breaking down in tears, she stated:
“Everybody was still asleep. I mean, my uncle’s backyard was the woods. I mean, it could have been me.”
Following the assault, KHOU 11 reported about McDougal’s conviction in reference to the incident. He pleaded no contest to 2 counts — and was sentenced to solely two years in jail. Infuriatingly, McDougal was not even required to register as a intercourse offender! Looking again, Carissa feels he ought to have been in jail for longer. And within the wake of Audrii’s homicide, she believes the county “failed” all of his victims:
“I think Brazoria County definitely failed me and failed Audrii and possibly more.”
Our hearts break for Carissa and Audrii. It’s horrific what occurred to them. You can watch the emotional interview (under):
If you or somebody has skilled sexual violence and wish to study extra about sources, take into account testing https://www.rainn.org/resources.
If you’ve got honest trigger to suspect baby abuse, name the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org.
[Image via ABC7/YouTube, Polk County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook]
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