Remains of Texas girl, 4, found in Arkansas
Ex-fiance of child’s mother tells local activist that it ‘was an accident’
Investigators searching for a missing Texas 4-year-old found the remains of the child in Arkansas, authorities said Monday.
The remains found Friday were confirmed to be Maleah Davis, who was reported missing more than three weeks ago, according to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Scientists.
Homicide investigators are bringing the remains back to Houston for an autopsy, police said.
“We are all saddened by the confirmation of the identification of the remains brought home to Houston by members of the Houton Police Department as Maleah Davis,” Chief Art Acevedo said in a statement.
“However, we are heartened by the fact this sweet child can now receive the proper burial she deserved and that those who knew and loved her most desired.”
Authorities discovered the remains after getting a tip from local activist Quanell X, who said he spoke with Derion Vence, the ex-fiance of Maleah’s mother, Brittany Bowens, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said at a press conference.
Quanell X said Vence, who was arrested May 11 in connection with Maleah’s disappearance, told him Maleah is dead and that he dumped the girl’s body in Arkansas off the side of a road. The activist declined to comment on what Vence told him regarding how Maleah died.
“One thing he wanted to make clear to me was what happened to Maleah was an accident,” he told KTRK.
Local authorities in Arkansas began the search as Houston police traveled to assist them.
Shortly after the search began, a highway work crew found a black garbage bag emitting a “foul odor” near Fulton, according to Hempstead County Sheriff James Singleton.
Vence told officers that he, Maleah and his 2-year-old son were abducted May 4 by a group of men in a truck.
He said he and his son were freed the next day, but the kidnappers kept Maleah and his silver Nissan Altima.
Police said Vence’s story kept changing and didn’t add up.
The Nissan was found and trained dogs detected the scent of human decomposition in the trunk.
Vence was seen on surveillance video taking a large laundry basket with a trash bag as well as cleaning supplies from his apartment on May 3. A basket similar to the one seen on the surveillance video was found in the Nissan’s trunk.
Investigators also found blood in the hallway and bathroom of the couple’s apartment.
The blood is consistent with DNA samples taken from Maleah’s toothbrush, authorities said.
Vence has been charged with tampering with evidence, specifically a human corpse.