Second Suspect Admits to Kidnapping 5-Year-Old

A North Carolina man has admitted tokidnapping a 5-year-old girl, authorities said Friday, butinvestigators still have not found the child more than three daysafter she disappeared from a mobile home park.

Mario Andrette McNeill, 29, admitted to taking Shaniya Davis,said Fayetteville Police Department spokeswoman Theresa Chance. Hewas charged with kidnapping while authorities dropped chargesagainst another man, Clarence Coe, who was initially arrested inthe case.

"We're hoping we find her alive," Chance said at a newsconference. "We found Mr. McNeill, and Miss Davis was not withhim."

Surveillance footage had showed McNeill carrying Shaniya into ahotel room on Tuesday morning, when she was reported missing from amobile home park. A hotel worker called police to report seeing achild matching Shaniya's description, but by the time police gotthere, McNeill had left.

McNeill faces a first court appearance Friday afternoon.

Investigators had used police dogs but could not pick up thechild's scent during a search of the neighborhood. They found ablanket that may have belonged to Shaniya in a garbage can outsidea neighbor's home.

Shaniya's father, Bradley Lockhart, made a tearful appealThursday for his daughter's safe return.

"Shaniya, if you're listening to daddy, I miss you so much,honey," he said. "I'm waiting for you. I'm not going to give up.You don't give up either, honey."



A hotel worker called police after recognizing Shaniya butMcNeill and the girl had left by the time they arrived.

Officials say they think Shaniya is safe.Shaniya's mother, Antoinette Davis, and her father, who flew in from out of state, have been speaking with investigators. Police spokeswoman Theresa Chance told WRAL-TV on Wednesday that the family had a history with the state Department of Social Services regarding the custody of Shaniya and other children in the home. She told the Fayetteville Observer that Shaniya's father wasn't considered a suspect.

For the latest updates on this Amber Alert, visit www.nccrimecontrol.org.