Polk County man charged in connection to Audrii Cunningham's death; court documents reveal new details
POLK COUNTY - The Polk County Sheriff's office has charged 42-year-old Don McDougal with capital murder in connection to 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham's death as court documents reveal new details surrounding her death.
Warning: The details from the court documents may be disturbing.
McDougal was arrested Friday on an unrelated charge of aggravated assault but was a person of interest in Cunningham's death after witnesses tied his vehicle to the case.
The little girl went missing Thursday morning on her way to school. Investigators say McDougal was supposed to take Audrii to her school bus stop the day she disappeared.
The documents released Wednesday show the days-long search came to an end Tuesday when crews found her body tied to a large rock in the Trinity River.
Investigators say she was found about 10 miles from her home. The criminal complaint against McDougal reveals cell phone data and video footage places him near the area where the young girl's body was found.
According to the document, the rope used to tie down the 11-year-old was consistent with rope law enforcement say was seen in McDougal's vehicle during a recent traffic stop.
No bond has been set for McDougal, who has been described as a family friend.