On Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham vanished on her way to school and was later found dead near her home in Livingston, Texas. Since then, Cunningham’s mom, Cassie Matthews, has spoken openly to the press, but what’s known about Cunningham’s dad?
42-year-old Don Steven McDougal, who lived on the same property as Cunningham, her father, and Audrii’s paternal grandmother, was declared a person of interest in the case. McDougal’s vehicle was also of interest, police said. McDougal was reportedly a Cunningham “family friend.”
Joshua Cunningham is Audrii’s father
The day after Audrii Cunningham’s body was found, her father’s name was revealed to be Joshua Cunningham. Joshua reportedly spent a good deal of time away from home for work, and while his daughter was missing, he shared several pictures of his Audrii on Facebook. In one post, he wrote,
“My daughter Audrii Cunningham is MISSING she did not make it to the bus this morning. Contact me and the police immediately with ANY INFORMATION.”
via Joshua Cunningham/Facebook
Don Steven McDougal would reportedly babysit Cunningham on occasion, and was known to take her to school when she missed the bus, according to Fox 26 Houston.
Audrii’s mom, Cassie Matthews, lived elsewhere in Livingston, and Matthews said she was unaware that McDougal was in her daughter’s life before her daughter vanished.
On searching for her daughter, Matthews said,
“Hard is an understatement. This is the stuff you see on TV, and you can only imagine what the family and the parents are going through, and there’s no words for it. There is not one feeling you feel. It’s a roller coaster. You are broken, you are mad, you are empty, and right now, I am empty.”
via Click2 Houston
On the same day the Cunningham was declared missing, McDougal was arrested on unrelated assault charges. After Audrii was found dead in the Trinity River near Livingston, McDougal was charged with capital murder. McDougal had a lengthy criminal record including “enticing a child with intent.” McDougal was not, however, a registered sex offender.