LIVINGSTON, Texas — Editor's Note: The above video aired on Feb. 22, 2024.
Livingston Junior High School recently honored the memory of beloved 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham with a portrait.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Principal Jared Nettles was pictured hanging up a portrait of Audrii as the school staff prepares to welcome back the sixth graders, also known as the class of 2031. The forensic portrait was created by Johnny Castro of the Philadelphia Police Department.
"It was a bittersweet afternoon at LJH," the post read.
Livingston JH said the photo will travel through each grade level as the class honors Audrii's memory.
Don Steven McDougal, 42, who was her father's friend, is charged with capital murder in connection with the kidnapping and death of Audrii. Her body was recovered from the Trinity River under US Highway 59 on Feb. 20, following an exhaustive six-day search.
According to an autopsy report, Audrii died form "homicidal violence including blunt head trauma." Polk County Sheriff Byron McDougal was supposed to take Audrii to the bus stop on Feb. 15, but she never arrived at the school.
