The Shaniya Davis Story: Timeline of "Angel's" Last Days on Earth
When Shaniya Davis, 5, was reported missing in North Carolina on November 10, 2009, suspicion turned to a man described as her mother's boyfriend. But he was let go, and police targeted another man spotted on hotel surveillance footage holding the child. Then, authorities arrested the girl's mother and accused her of offering her daughter for prostitution, hoping Shaniya was still alive, but fearing the worst.
PICTURES: Shaniya Davis Found Dead
PICTURES: Shaniya Davis' Vigil
The arrests offered a glimmer of hope Shaniya would be found alive. But on Monday Nov. 16, searchers discovered the girl's body off a rural road, nearly a week after her mother reported her missing from a mobile home park in Fayetteville, N.C.
November 10, 2009
Shaniya Davis Missing: Cumberland County authorities said foul play was suspected in the disappearance of Shaniya Nicole Davis. The 5-year-old girl went missing from her home in Fayetteville, N.C. Tuesday morning.
November 10, 2009
Shaniya Seen in Video: Police acquire horrifying surveillance video, released to the public six days later, which showed a man carrying Shaniya Davis through s Sanford, N.C., hotel.
November 13, 2009
Mario Andrette McNeill Charged: The man, police say, was seen on a hotel video tape carrying Shaniya Davis the day she went missing, turns himself into police and is charged with kidnapping. But he refuses to help find Shaniya.
November 14, 2009
Shaniya's Mother, Antoinette Davis, Arrested: North Carolina police charge Shaniya Davis' mother, Antoinette Davis, with human trafficking for allegedly selling her child as a sex slave.
PICTURES: Shaniya Davis Found Dead
PICTURES: Shaniya Davis' Vigil
November 16, 2009
Cops Fear Shaniya Dead: Police still hoped 5-year-old Shaniya Davis would be found alive, but that hope was dwindling.
November 16, 2009
Shaniya's Father Pleaded for Her Return: Bradley Lockhart, father of 5-year-old Shaniya Davis, appeared with his sister Carey Lockhart-Davis on CBS' "The Early Show" Monday to beg for the girl's safe return. Only hours later, his daughter would be found dead in Sanford, N.C., about 30 miles from her Fayetteville home.
November 16, 2009
Shaniya Found Dead: The body of missing 5-year-old Shaniya Nicole Davis was recovered Monday afternoon, Fayetteville Police Chief Tom Bergamine said.
PICTURES: Shaniya Davis Found Dead
PICTURES: Shaniya Davis' Vigil
November 16, 2009
Vigil Held for Shaniya: Shaniya Davis' father, Bradley Lockhart, arrived at a vigil for his murdered daughter Monday night. Tears ran down his face and friends helped him to stand, as he cried out to mourners who had come to pay respects to his daughter.
November 17, 2009
Antoinette Davis, Shaniya's Mother, is Pregnant: Antoinette Nicole Davis, the woman accused of selling her 5-year-old daughter, Shaniya Davis, into sexual slavery, is pregnant, according to her aunt.
November 18, 2009
Shaniya's Aunt Says Mom Was "Neglectful": When Shaniya Davis went to live for the first time with her mother, Antoinette Davis, alarm bells went off for the little girl's aunt.
PICTURES: Shaniya Davis Found Dead
PICTURES: Shaniya Davis' Vigil
November 18, 2009
Police: No New Charges … For Now: Investigators handling the death of Shaniya Davis say they can't file any more charges until they decide where the crimes took place.
November 18, 2009
Shaniya's Body Found Near Dear Carcasses: A dog trainer who helped look for Shaniya Davis said searchers overlooked her body at first because all they saw were deer carcasses in trash bags.
November 18, 2009
Shaniya Davis Autopsy Underway: Police hope an autopsy will determine exactly how Shaniya Davis died.
November 19, 2009
Mario Andrette McNeill Charged with Murder: Police say McNeill raped then strangled to death Shaniya Davis.
PICTURES: Shaniya Davis Found Dead
PICTURES: Shaniya Davis' Vigil