Missing Texas Schoolgirl Audrii Cunningham: What We Know
TL/DR –
Audrii Cunningham, an 11-year-old girl from Livingston, Texas, disappeared on her way to catch the school bus. A small backpack believed to belong to her was found near Lake Livingston Dam, but there’s no other trace of her. A 42-year-old man who was arrested on an unrelated charge is considered a person of interest in her disappearance.
Audrii Cunningham’s Disappearance
The mystery behind 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham’s vanishing may hinge on her red “Hello Kitty” backpack. Audrii disappeared after leaving for school in the east Texas town of Livingston, 70 miles northeast of Houston. The school bus never picked her up, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
A child-sized backpack found near Lake Livingston Dam could be linked to her. A man under arrest for unrelated aggravated assault charges is considered a person of interest in Audrii’s case. Her location, however, remains unknown.
Investigation Details
Audrii was last seen at 7 a.m. near her home on Lakeside Drive. Her home is in proximity to Lake Livingston, one of Texas’s largest reservoirs, providing water to Houston and other East Texas cities, as per Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Her family reported her missing when she didn’t come home from school. Numerous agencies initiated a search, including Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety, and local fire departments.
A small backpack possibly belonging to a child was found near Lake Livingston Dam. Initially, authorities reported that Audrii carried a bright red “Hello Kitty” backpack. The investigation continues.
Suspect and Family’s Desperation
A 42-year-old man, now under arrest for unrelated aggravated assault, is believed to be linked with Audrii’s disappearance. His 2003 Chevrolet Suburban is thought to have been involved. Details on his connection to the case aren’t disclosed yet.
Texas DPS spokesperson Lt. Craig Cummings said, “Our primary focus and hope is that we bring Audrii safely home. But foul play cannot be ruled out”.
Audrii’s mother, Cassie Matthews, expressed her desperation, saying, “This is what you see on TV and can only imagine what the family is going through,” in an interview with CNN affiliate KPRC. “Right now, I am empty. She has so many opportunities ahead of her, and she deserves every right to reach those opportunities.”
Audrii is white with blond hair and blue eyes, approximately 4 feet, 1 inch tall, and weighs about 75 pounds. She was last seen wearing black pants, a black hoodie, and black high-top tennis shoes. If you have any information, contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 936-327-6810 or submit an anonymous tip online.
—
Read More US News