Don Steven McDougal (L); Audrii Cunningham (R).Photo:Montgomery County Jail; Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Montgomery County Jail; Polk County Sheriff’s Office
• Don Steven McDougal was charged with capital murder in connection with Audrii Cunningham’s death, per Texas authorities• McDougal was a family friend who took her to school as recently as Feb. 12, three days before her disappearance, school officials told PEOPLE• Audrii’s family said in a statement they were not aware of McDougal’s past child sex abuse conviction
The family of 11-year-oldAudrii Cunningham, who wasfound deadlast week in Livingston, Texas, are speaking out about their family friend who’s now accused of murdering the girl.
“The Munsch and Cunningham families are devastated and grieving for what happened to our little ray of sunshine, Audrii,” the family said in a statement toFOX 26after authorities charged their family friend,Don Steven McDougal, in connection with Audrii’s death.
McDougal, 42, was living in a trailer on Audrii’s family’s property and was a friend of her father’s,CNNreported previously, citing the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
On Feb. 15, Audriidisappeared on her way to school, authorities said at the time, adding that McDougal was the last person seen with her, per CNN.
Herbody was foundon Tuesday and McDougal wascharged with her murdera day later, authorities confirmed with PEOPLE at the time.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Now,the girl’s family is speaking out about McDougal in a statement, in which they described Audrii as “charismatic, beautiful, talented, and kind" and called McDougal “a monster we thought was a friend.”
“We are being attacked and criticized on social media platforms for showing compassion and mercy to this formerly incarcerated person, but our interactions with this person were a result of our faith, which teaches us to give our fellow man a second chance,” the family added.
McDougal had a prior conviction for enticing a child in connection with a 2007 incident; he pleaded no contest in that case and received a two-year prison sentence,KHOU 11,NBC 15andHouston Public Mediareported, citing court records.Carissa Davis, hispast victim, toldABC 13that McDougal’s sentence after that conviction “failed” Audrii.
Audrii’s family said in their statement that they didn’t know the details of McDougal’s conviction.
“Unfortunately, the system failed us due to a loophole in the sex offender registration system," the statement said, adding that they searched the registry but that McDougal’s name didn’t show up.
They said they allowed him to stay on the property “to start a new life.”
“Had we been aware of what we know now, this man would never have set foot on our property, much less been a part of our little girl’s life,” they said.
McDougal was often tasked with taking care of Audrii, authorities previously said. A school spokesperson told PEOPLEMcDougal had brought Audrii to schoolas recently as Feb. 12.
He was close enough with her family that hejoined the initial searchfor the missing girl, authorities said, according to CNN.
He was arrested a day after her disappearance on an unrelated charge.
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McDougal remains in custody in Polk County without bond, jail records show. It isn’t clear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney on his behalf.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
source: people.com
