Audrii Cunningham, Don Steven McDougal.Photo:Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Montgomery County JailThe family ofAudrii Cunninghamsays they did a background search of her alleged killer before letting him stay on their property — but his name didn’t show up on a sex offender registry.Audrii, 11, wasfound deadlast week, authorities said. She was last seen on Feb. 16 withDon Steven McDougal, 42, who lived on her family’s property and often brought her to school.McDougal has beencharged with capital murderin connection with Audrii’s death, authorities told PEOPLE last week.Now, her family claims that a “loophole in the sex offender registration system” prevented them from learning about McDougal’s past conviction for enticement of a child.Audrii Cunningham.Polk County Sheriff’s Office“Don Steven McDougal had a history of disrespect for young female children, but it did not show up when we checked the registry before allowing him to stay in an old camper in our back yard while he tried to start a new life,” they said in the statement shared withFOX 26.“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.The family did not clarify what information they had about McDougal’s past incarceration; they were not available for further comment on Monday.Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’sfree True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.McDougal’s conviction stemmed from a 2007 incident,KHOU 11,NBC 15andHouston Public Mediareported, citing court records.Carissa Davis was 10 years old in 2007 when McDougal assaulted her at a family event, she toldABC 13. They were at Davis’ uncle’s house in Brazoria County, Texas, for a gathering where McDougal had accompanied his sisters, who were friends of the family, according to Davis.At night, when Davis was asleep next to her cousin, McDougal walked into their room and tried to take down Davis’ pants, she told ABC 13. When she tried to escape, McDougal followed her around the house, she said, but she was eventually able to notify her aunt, according to the outlet.McDougal pleaded no contest in that case and received a two-year prison sentence following his conviction, records show, Houston Public Media andFOX 26reported.Davis believes McDougal should have been behind bars for much longer — and the fact that he wasn’t allowed for Audrii’s killing to take place.“I think Brazoria County definitely failed me and failed Audrii and possibly more,” she said.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.
Audrii Cunningham, Don Steven McDougal.Photo:Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Montgomery County Jail
Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Montgomery County Jail
The family ofAudrii Cunninghamsays they did a background search of her alleged killer before letting him stay on their property — but his name didn’t show up on a sex offender registry.Audrii, 11, wasfound deadlast week, authorities said. She was last seen on Feb. 16 withDon Steven McDougal, 42, who lived on her family’s property and often brought her to school.McDougal has beencharged with capital murderin connection with Audrii’s death, authorities told PEOPLE last week.Now, her family claims that a “loophole in the sex offender registration system” prevented them from learning about McDougal’s past conviction for enticement of a child.Audrii Cunningham.Polk County Sheriff’s Office“Don Steven McDougal had a history of disrespect for young female children, but it did not show up when we checked the registry before allowing him to stay in an old camper in our back yard while he tried to start a new life,” they said in the statement shared withFOX 26.“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.The family did not clarify what information they had about McDougal’s past incarceration; they were not available for further comment on Monday.Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’sfree True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.McDougal’s conviction stemmed from a 2007 incident,KHOU 11,NBC 15andHouston Public Mediareported, citing court records.Carissa Davis was 10 years old in 2007 when McDougal assaulted her at a family event, she toldABC 13. They were at Davis’ uncle’s house in Brazoria County, Texas, for a gathering where McDougal had accompanied his sisters, who were friends of the family, according to Davis.At night, when Davis was asleep next to her cousin, McDougal walked into their room and tried to take down Davis’ pants, she told ABC 13. When she tried to escape, McDougal followed her around the house, she said, but she was eventually able to notify her aunt, according to the outlet.McDougal pleaded no contest in that case and received a two-year prison sentence following his conviction, records show, Houston Public Media andFOX 26reported.Davis believes McDougal should have been behind bars for much longer — and the fact that he wasn’t allowed for Audrii’s killing to take place.“I think Brazoria County definitely failed me and failed Audrii and possibly more,” she said.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.
The family ofAudrii Cunninghamsays they did a background search of her alleged killer before letting him stay on their property — but his name didn’t show up on a sex offender registry.
Audrii, 11, wasfound deadlast week, authorities said. She was last seen on Feb. 16 withDon Steven McDougal, 42, who lived on her family’s property and often brought her to school.
McDougal has beencharged with capital murderin connection with Audrii’s death, authorities told PEOPLE last week.
Now, her family claims that a “loophole in the sex offender registration system” prevented them from learning about McDougal’s past conviction for enticement of a child.
Audrii Cunningham.Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
“Don Steven McDougal had a history of disrespect for young female children, but it did not show up when we checked the registry before allowing him to stay in an old camper in our back yard while he tried to start a new life,” they said in the statement shared withFOX 26.
“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.
The family did not clarify what information they had about McDougal’s past incarceration; they were not available for further comment on Monday.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’sfree True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
McDougal’s conviction stemmed from a 2007 incident,KHOU 11,NBC 15andHouston Public Mediareported, citing court records.
Carissa Davis was 10 years old in 2007 when McDougal assaulted her at a family event, she toldABC 13. They were at Davis’ uncle’s house in Brazoria County, Texas, for a gathering where McDougal had accompanied his sisters, who were friends of the family, according to Davis.
At night, when Davis was asleep next to her cousin, McDougal walked into their room and tried to take down Davis’ pants, she told ABC 13. When she tried to escape, McDougal followed her around the house, she said, but she was eventually able to notify her aunt, according to the outlet.
McDougal pleaded no contest in that case and received a two-year prison sentence following his conviction, records show, Houston Public Media andFOX 26reported.
Davis believes McDougal should have been behind bars for much longer — and the fact that he wasn’t allowed for Audrii’s killing to take place.
“I think Brazoria County definitely failed me and failed Audrii and possibly more,” she said.
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
