Texas suspect in Audrii Cunningham disappearance charged with capital murder

close Video

Authorities find remains of Audrii Cunningham

Fox News chief correspondent Jonathan Hunt has the latest on the Audrii Cunningham case on ‘Special Report.’

Join Fox News for access to this content Plus get unlimited access to thousands of articles, videos and more with your free account! Please enter a valid email address. By entering your email, you are agreeing to Fox News Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. To access the content, check your email and follow the instructions provided.

The Texas career criminal arrested in connection with the disappearance of Audrii Cunningham has been charged with capital murder after the 11-year-old girl was found dead Tuesday.

Polk County Jail records show Don Steven McDougal, 42, has officially been charged with murder of a person between the ages of 10 and 15, nearly a week after Audrii missed her school bus on Feb. 15.

Officials located the 11-year-old’s body in the Trinity River near the US Highway 59 bridge in Livingston, Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons confirmed during a Tuesday press conference.

“We will continue to process the evidence that has been gathered to ensure that there is justice for Audrii,” Lyons said.

TEXAS GIRL AUDRII CUNNINGHAM FOUND DEAD IN RIVER AS OFFICIALS EYE CAPITAL MURDER CHARGE FOR SUSPECT

Texas authorities named Don Steven McDougal as a person of interest in connection with the Feb. 15 disappearance of Audrii Cunningham. (Polk County Sheriff/ Facebook)

McDougal, a family friend who lived in a trailer behind Audrii’s residence in Livingston, was initially apprehended on Feb. 16 on an unrelated charge of aggravated assault.

AUDRII CUNNINGHAM DISAPPEARANCE: TEXAS BABYSITTER WITH CRIMINAL RECORD NAMED AS PERSON OF INTEREST

Don Steven McDougal has a lengthy criminal record dating back to the early 2000s.  (Liberty County)

He has been accused of dozens of crimes dating back to the early 2000s and was convicted on two child enticement charges in 2008.

LAW ENFORCEMENT SEARCHING FOR MEN WHO WENT MISSING OFF GULF OF MEXICO

Don Steven McDougal was convicted of enticement of a child in 2008. (Facebook)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“He was probably taking her to…the bus stop, and we do feel that he was the last person to see Audrii,” Lyons said of McDougal during a Monday press conference, adding that there were “some occasions” when McDougal would take Audrii to the bus stop or even to school if she missed the bus.

Audrii’s mother, Cassie Matthews, told FOX 26 Houston that she believed McDougal would babysit the 11-year-old girl while he was staying at her father’s home.

Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox News Digital and FOX Business. Email tips to audrey.conklin@fox.com or on Twitter at @audpants.