LIVINGSTON, Texas – New details have been released about the morning of 11-year-old Audrii’ Cunningham’s disappearance.
Crime Stoppers has increased its reward from $7,000 to $10,000 for information in this case that will lead to finding the Livingston girl or prosecution.
The Texas Department of Public Safety held a news conference Monday afternoon to share updates on the investigation.
During the news conference, DPS announced that investigators new location of interest will be the Scenic Loop. They are also asking the public to stay away from the area.
Audrii went missing around 6:45 a.m. on Thursday after her family says she never made it on the school bus.
An Amber Alert was issued after the girl’s parents reported her disappearance to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Video from Friday morning gives a glimpse into the investigative side of the case.
In the video, Livingston police officers appear to question 42-year-old Don Steven McDougal by his blue SUV outside of stores in downtown Livingston.
McDougal, has a lengthy criminal history, including felony convictions for crimes against children, is the sole person of interest in Audrii’s disappearance.
He was arrested on Friday and remained in the Polk County jail Monday, on aggravated assault of a man, which is unrelated to this case. His bond was set at $500,000.
DPS said McDougal was a friend of Audrii’s father and was allowed to live in a trailer behind his home. On some occasions, officials said he would drop her off at the bus stop or take her to school if she missed the bus.
He was reportedly the last person to see Audrii before her disappearance. DPS said he is “lightly” cooperating with authorities while in custody.
Detectives are still asking anyone who may have seen McDougal’s blue 2003 Chevrolet Suburban to give them a call.
They have the SUV and McDougal, but knowing where he was might lead them to where Audrii is.
Officials are also asking for additional surveillance video from the public to help them piece together a timeline of McDougal’s morning, the day Audrii went missing.
Multiple places of interest searched
There have been multiple places of interest investigators that have been searched in hopes to find Audrii, according to DPS.
On Sunday, the Trinity River boat ramp was closed near Highway 59 as officials searched for Audrii. Crews combed through land and water searching for any signs of the girl.
During one of the searches, investigators said they found a backpack that possibly belongs to Audrii.
Drone video from search crews also showed them using boats down river from the Lake Livingston dam.
The leader of Texas EquuSearch told KPRC 2′s Gage Goulding that Sunday was another long day with no results and they are all frustrated.
As the search draws on, questions continue to pile up.