Shaniya Davis
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FAYETEVILLE, NC -
A North Carolina man has admitted to
kidnapping a 5-year-old girl, authorities said Friday, but
investigators still have not found the child more than three days
after she disappeared from a mobile home park.
Mario Andrette McNeill, 29, admitted to taking Shaniya Davis, said Fayetteville Police Department spokeswoman Theresa Chance. He was charged with kidnapping while authorities dropped charges against another man, Clarence Coe, who was initially arrested in the case.
"We're hoping we find her alive," Chance said at a news conference. "We found Mr. McNeill, and Miss Davis was not with him."
Surveillance footage had showed McNeill carrying Shaniya into a hotel room on Tuesday morning, when she was reported missing from a mobile home park. A hotel worker called police to report seeing a child matching Shaniya's description, but by the time police got there, McNeill had left.
McNeill faces a first court appearance Friday afternoon.
Investigators had used police dogs but could not pick up the child's scent during a search of the neighborhood. They found a blanket that may have belonged to Shaniya in a garbage can outside a neighbor's home.
Shaniya's father, Bradley Lockhart, made a tearful appeal Thursday 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 but McNeill 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.
Mario Andrette McNeill, 29, admitted to taking Shaniya Davis, said Fayetteville Police Department spokeswoman Theresa Chance. He was charged with kidnapping while authorities dropped charges against another man, Clarence Coe, who was initially arrested in the case.
"We're hoping we find her alive," Chance said at a news conference. "We found Mr. McNeill, and Miss Davis was not with him."
Surveillance footage had showed McNeill carrying Shaniya into a hotel room on Tuesday morning, when she was reported missing from a mobile home park. A hotel worker called police to report seeing a child matching Shaniya's description, but by the time police got there, McNeill had left.
McNeill faces a first court appearance Friday afternoon.
Investigators had used police dogs but could not pick up the child's scent during a search of the neighborhood. They found a blanket that may have belonged to Shaniya in a garbage can outside a neighbor's home.
Shaniya's father, Bradley Lockhart, made a tearful appeal Thursday 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 but McNeill 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.
