Shaniya Davis father Bradley Lockhart appeared on the Nancy Grace show last night. He spoke about his life since Shaniya’s horrific death and answered several questions from Nancy. He stated that he is not sure what part of the grieving stage he is in. He also expressed feeling at times as if the entire situation was unreal.
He stated that since Shaniya’s murder, he feels as if he is called to focus on human trafficking and help other children who are victimized through the same crime. It was heartbreaking to watch, and it was apparent that Nancy Grace was close to tears. She commented on how those involved with the case and searched for Shaniya Davis desperately hoped that they would find her alive. She mentioned how grief counselors were called to help those who searched for and found Shaniya’s body.
Shaniya Davis was kidnapped from her home on November 10, 2009. Her body was found six days later. Mario McNeill has been charged with kidnapping, rape, and murder. Shaniya’s mother, Antoinette Davis has been charged with trafficking her daughter for the purpose of sexual servitude. It is not yet known whether murder charges will be added to Shaniya Davis’ mother’s list of crimes.
Shaniya Davis’ funeral was aired live and was an emotionally heart wrenching service. Viewers tuned in worldwide and said good-bye to the beautiful little girl who was gone too soon.
Shaniya Davis investigation causes state of North Carolina to review DSS contact with Antoinette Davis
The Shaniya Davis investigation focuses on contact that DSS had with the slain girl’s family. The little five-year-old went missing from her Fayetteville, North Carolina home on November 10, 2009. Her body was discovered in a wooded area on November 16, 2009. Shaniya Davis had been raped and asphyxiated and Mario McNeill has been charged with her kidnapping, rape, and murder. However, her mother, Antoinette Davis faces charges that she sold her daughter into prostitution. Now, DSS wants to see how they missed signs that Antoinette Davis was an unfit mother.
According to reports, DSs had previously investigated Antoinette Davis regarding her care for her seven year old son. The case was closed and Antoinette was allowed to keep custody of her son. Though DSS officials refuse to comment publicly on the case as it is an ongoing criminal investigation, they have stated that are going to review all DSS contact with Antoinette Davis and will provide those results to the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force. The North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force documents child deaths in the state of Florida then makes appropriate recommendations based upon the findings. The information is used to create laws that help protect children.
Though Mario McNeill has been arrested and charged, as well as Shaniya Davis’ mother Antoinette Davis, the investigation continues and authorities continue to follow up on leads in the case. The case will be prosecuted through Cumberland County, North Carolina and authorities are working to ensure that they leave no stone unturned.
Shaniya Davis’ father is scheduled to have a one on one interview with HLN’s Nancy Grace on Monday, November 30, 2009.
The father of Shaniya Davis, Bradley Lockhart was on the Today show and spoke with Meredith Viera. You can see the video in the player below. During the interview, Meredith Viera asked Bradley Lockhart if he noticed any signs in retrospect that would have alerted him to the danger Shaniya Davis was in by staying with her mother. He said that he couldn’t recall any red flags or other indicators that would have shown what grave danger Shaniya Davis was in.
Meredith Viera also asked about Carey Lockhart-Davis impressions regarding Antoinette Davis and whether she had shared her concerns with Bradley. Carey Lockhart-Davis has spoken with the media and stated that she did not feel comfortable with Shaniya moving in with her mother. Bradley Lockhart said that Carey had not shared those concerns with him.
Shaniya Davis was kidnapped on November 10, 2009. Investigators believe that she was raped and murdered the same day, by Mario McNeill. Mario McNeill faces first degree kidnapping, first degree rape of a child, and first degree murder charges. If convicted he faces the death penalty. Mario McNeill is expected to make his next court appearance within a few weeks. Shaniya Davis’ mother, Antoinette Davis remains in jail on human trafficking, child abuse involving prostitution, and filing a false police report charges. There is still a possibility that Antoinette Davis may face additional charges as the investigation continues.
Shaniya Davis was laid to rest on November 22, 2009. You may watch the full video of her funeral service here.
. The service lasted a little more than an hour and was planned to be a coming home celebration for Shaniya, rather than a somber event. It wasn’t to be, however. The service was gripped with raw emotion and pain, one of the most emotional parts occurred when Shaniya’s Aunt Carey (Carey Lockhart-Davis) read a poem that she wrote titled, “My Life with Shaniya.”
When watching the Shaniya Davis funeral video, the poem read by Aunt Carey begins at approximately 39 minutes into the service. The poem recounts the moments that Carey Lockhart spent with her niece, Shaniya Davis. As she read the poem, a beautiful painting of Shaniya depicted as an angel was proudly displayed behind her. The poem contained all of the love and attention that a mother would devote on her own child. Carey Lockhart told of how she watched Shaniya play with other children, helped her learn and recite her alphabet, and even called Shaniya Davis’ father so that she could sing her ABC’s to him. Since the investigation has garnered media attention, it has become apparent that Carey Lockhart served as a mother figure to Shaniya.
Shaniya Davis’ own biological mother, Antoinette Davis is charged with selling her daughter into sex slavery and faces child abuse involving child prostitution along with human trafficking and filing a false police report. Mario McNeill has been arrested for kidnapping Shaniya Davis and taking her to a hotel room. She was raped and murdered, according to authorities, the same day that she was kidnapped, November 10, 2009. Her body was found on November 16, 2009.
Carey Lockhart concluded the poem dedicated to Shaniya Davis by stating that they were each other’s soul mates.
The funeral for Shaniya Davis has been scheduled for this Sunday at 3:00 p.m. The funeral will be open to the public and is expected to draw many mourners who wish to pay their final respects and say good-bye to the little 5-year-old girl who touched the nation with her tragic life.
Shaniya Davis was kidnapped from her home on November 10, 2009. At first, it appeared to be a stranger abduction, but suspicion quickly shifted to Shaniya’s mother, Antoinette Davis. She had stated that she last saw Shaniya sleeping on a sofa at 5:30 a.m. then she suddenly vanished from their trailer in the Sleepy Hollow Mobile Home Park in Fayetteville, North Carolina. There is no doubt that many from the Sleepy Hollow Mobile Home park, as well as authorities in Fayetteville, North Carolina will be present at the Shaniya Davis funeral.
Within several days, Shaniya Davis’ mother, Antoinette Davis’ boyfriend was arrested. He was released the following day after surveillance video showed another man, Mario McNeill, carrying little Shaniya Davis into a hotel room. It was later determined that Mario McNeill had taken the child from her home, with the consent and awareness of Antoinette Davis, for the purpose of sexual servitude. When little Shaniya’s body was found, an autopsy confirmed that she had been raped. Antoinette Davis was arrested on November 14, 2009 for child abuse involving prostitution, filing a false police report, and human trafficking. On November 13, 2009 Mario McNeill was arrested for first-degree kidnapping.
It is possible, as in some situations, for a mother to be temporarily allowed to attend the funeral of her child. There has been no word whether or not Antoinette Davis has requested permission to attend the Shaniya Davis funeral. It might be best, if Antoinette Davis has requested to attend the Shaniya Davis funeral, for her to watch via live stream from her cell. With the allegations against her, her life would undoubtedly be in jeopardy should she attend! It has not been verified, but it is quite possible that Mario McNeill made a detailed confession that led to the arrest of Antoinette Davis, as it has not been stated how police came to charge Antoinette Davis with human trafficking.
Searchers who were looking for Shaniya Davis’ body, stated that there was a tip that had led them to the location where Shaniya’s body was found. It has not publicly been released whether Mario McNeill confessed to leaving Shaniya’s body in the woods off of Highway 87 in Sanford, North Carolina.
The Shaniya Davis funeral is certain to be an emotional-grief stricken time as the public, as well as her family, says good-bye to this precious angel who has gone too soon.
A press conference was held this morning regarding the Shaniya Davis investigation. Fayetteville Police Chief Tom Bergamine began by sending his condolences to Shaniya Davis’ family and he expressed his sorrow regarding the circumstances of Shaniya’s tragic death.
Though many had expected that new charges would be announced and had waited for the Shaniya Davis press conference since yesterday, listeners were told that the case is complex. Due to the fact that Shaniya was kidnapped from Fayetteville, North Carolina in Cumberland County, and her body was located in Sanford, North Carolina located in Lee County, jurisdiction for the case has yet to be decided.
Chief Tom Bergamine stated that he knew the media had a lot of questions but that unfortunately, the Shaniya Davis case was complex. “This is a very complex case, it spans over Fayetteville, counties, and several jurisdictions.” He also stated that the case is an ongoing investigation regarding multiple law enforcement organizations and jurisdictions.
“Several of the details regarding the investigation will have a direct impact upon which county will assume jurisdiction.” Chief Tom Bergamine said today. Chief Bergamine also stated that the district attorneys from each county are currently discussing which county will prosecute the Shaniya Davis case. Once that decision is made, additional charges will be filed. Chief Bergamine also said that until the time of jurisdiction is decided, the Fayetteville Police Department will continue to work diligently bringing the guilty parties to justice.
Chief Bergamine also thanked the multiple agencies that worked tirelessly on the Shaniya Davis case. The results of the autopsy will not be in for nearly a week and it is unclear whether those results will be made public to the media.
Shaniya Davis’ mother, Antoinette Davis faces charges of human trafficking, child abuse involving prostitution, and filing a false police report. Mario McNeil, the ex-boyfriend of Antoinette Davis’ sister, has been charged with first degree kidnapping for taking Shaniya Davis.
The 911 call made by Antoinette Davis, one week ago today, were released. Antoinette Davis called 911 to report her daughter, Shaniya Davis, had been kidnapped on November 10, 2009.
Today, police state that those calls were faked and that Antoinette Davis not only knew where her daughter was, but had pimped her daughter out for sex. Antoinette Davis sounded sincere and was crying during her call to 911, but according to authorities, it was all an act.
You can listen to the video player below and hear the 911 call that was made.
Here is a transcript of the call:
ANTIONETTE DAVIS: I woke up this morning and my daughter was not in the house. I don’t know if she walked out or I don’t know what’s going on but she’s not here.
911 OPERATOR: How old is your daughter?
ANTIONETTE DAVIS: She’s five.
911 OPERATOR: Five?
ANTIONETTE DAVIS: Yes, ma’am.
911 OPERATOR: Ok, what time did you wake up? When did you last see her?
ANTIONETTE DAVIS: I saw her at 5:30 last night.
911 OPERATOR: 5:30 last night, is that when you put her to bed?
ANTIONETTE DAVIS: Yes, ma’am. No, when she went back to bed
911 OPERATOR: That was 5 this morning, is that what you’re telling me?
ANTOINETTE DAVIS: Yes ma’am.
911 OPERATOR: Ok, were there any doors open or anything like that?
ANTIONETTE: She knows how to unlock the front door.
911 OPERATOR: What is her name?
ANTOINETTE DAVIS: Shaniya Davis.
(spells out the name)
911 OPERATOR: Is she white, black or Hispanic?
ANTOINETTE DAVIS: She’s mixed. She’s bi-racial.
911: What was she wearing?
ANTOINETTE DAVIS: She’s wearing just a blue, big old blue shirt with designs on the front, but her hair is out.
911 OPERATOR: Did she have on any pants?
ANTOINETTE DAVIS: No, she didn’t take no shoes, no pants, no nothing.
911 OPERATOR: Did she have on underwear?
ANTOINETTE DAVIS: Yes ma’am.
911 OPERATOR: Do you know what color?
ANTOINETTE DAVIS: They’re white and they’ve got pink…I guess, I can’t really remember. They’re like white with pink designs on them.
911 OPERATOR: You said none of the doors were open?
ANTOINETTE DAVIS: No ma’am they were locked, but she knows how to unlock the front door.
911 OPERATOR: Was it closed this morning?
ANTOINETTE DAVIS: Yes ma’am.
911 OPERATOR: You say that was around 5:30?
ANTOINETTE DAVIS: Yes ma’am.
911 OPERATOR: Have you checked the neighborhood?
ANTOINETTE DAVIS: I’ve checked everywhere. I haven’t checked the back end of the neighborhood yet, but I’ve checked the front end. I’m just…I don’t know what else to do, I’m so…I don’t know what else to do.
911 OPERATOR: Are there any more juveniles inside the home?
ANTOINETTE DAVIS: There’s my son, but he’s here.
911 OPERATOR: And your door was not unlocked, that’s what you’re telling me?
ANTOINETTE DAVIS: No it was not unlocked, but I’m telling you she knows how to unlock it. I’m hoping that she didn’t unlock it and walk out.
911 OPERATOR: What’s the number you’re calling me from ma’am?
ANTOINETTE DAVIS: It’s my cell number.
911 OPERATOR: We’ve already got your call in we’re going to get someone out. You said her hair was out?
ANTOINETTE DAVIS: Yeah, just like a bushy afro.
911 OPERATOR: How much does she weigh, do you know?
ANTOINETTE DAVIS: I don’t know ma’am, I don’t remember.
Shaniya Davis video shows when searchers found her body
A newly released video shows the moment searchers discovered the body of Shaniya Davis. Shaniya Davis disappeared from her mobile home in Fayetteville, North Carolina on November 10, 2009. She was seen the same day on surveillance video entering a Comfort Suites hotel in Sanford, North Carolina.
Yesterday, her body was discovered approximately 7 miles from the Comfort Suites hotel where she was last seen. In the surveillance footage, a 29 year old man, Mario McNeill was holding the precious five year old in his arms.
<That surveillance video led to the arrest of Mario McNeill who has been charged with first degree kidnapping. An autopsy is being performed on Shaniya Davis as the hunt is now on for her killer. Mario McNeill is being held on $100,000 bond. Shaniya’s mother, Antoinette Davis is being held on a $51,000 bond on several charges, one including child abuse involving prostitution. It is alleged that Antoinette Davis sold her daughter, Shaniya Davis for sex.
In the video player below, one of the searchers states that they were alerted to the area where Shaniya’s body was found, after someone heard that the killer had confessed to the murder. This information has not yet been released to the public and whether or not Mario McNeil has confessed to murder, at this point, is pure speculation.
The video does make it clear, however, that the killer confessed, and that the searchers were alerted to that area of brush due to the perpetrator’s confession. According to Jeff Riccio, one of the K-9 searchers, there was a tip that stated that Shaniya was dead and that her body had been placed by carcasses and trash. He stated that they drove through the area and detected a foul odor and investigated the area. That was when one of the searchers found Shaniya Davis’ body. This information has yet to be confirmed by authorities.
The body found yesterday in Sanford, North Carolina was positively identified today as Shaniya Davis. An autopsy is currently underway and a cause of death has yet to be released. Last night, Shaniya Davis’ father was at a candlelight vigil in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He was extremely overwrought with grief and had to be held up by those surrounding him.
Though the nation knew in their hearts that it was Shaniya Davis who was found lying next to deer carcasses in an overgrown forested area off of Highway 87 in Sanford, North Carolina, it wasn’t until today that the positive identification was confirmed.
Authorities have not released the cause of death in Shaniya Davis’ case and the search is on for her killer. Mario McNeill is in jail on charges of first-degree kidnapping after he was seen carrying Shaniya into a Comfort Suites hotel. The images were captured by surveillance cameras. It has since been determined that Mario McNeill took Shaniya out of that hotel room approximately one hour later and that she was alive. Mario McNeill confessed to kidnapping Shaniya Davis. New reports have surfaced that police acted upon a tip and searched the area adjacent to Highway 87 after someone stated that they had killed Shaniya and placed her body there.
Shaniya Davis’ mother, Antoinette Davis is being held in jail on $51,000 bond. She faces charges that she prostituted her daughter and sold her in servitude. Authorities have not yet released to the media what evidence they have that led them to charge Shaniya Davis with these allegations. They have also charged her with filing a false police report. Mark McNeill was the ex-boyfriend of Antoinette Davis’s sister. The 911 calls that Antoinette Davis made the morning of November 10, 2009, when she reported Shaniya Davis as missing have been released.
Shaniya Davis was remembered tonight in an emotional and grief-stricken candlelight vigil. The beautiful little five year old disappeared from her home in Fayetteville, North Carolina on November 10, 2009. Her body was found today, leaving a community as well as a nation shocked and saddened.
A vigil for Shaniya Davis was held outside of Swann Station Baptist Church, located in Sanford, North Carolina. There were several hundred mourners in attendance, each bringing cards, toys, and other gifts to show support and love for Shaniya. Mourners held candles and sang hymns, tears streamed down cheeks as many looked to God for strength and comfort. It was in Sanford, North Carolina where Shaniya Davis’ body was found today.
In Fayetteville, North Carolina, another candlelight vigil was held in honor of Shaniya Davis. This vigil was attended by Shaniya’s father, Bradley Lockhart. His pain and grief were clear as he spoke with eyes lifted towards the heavens, “Don’t give up on me and don’t give up on Shaniya. She’s up there with you. Just knowing my little baby is up there with you is giving me comfort right now.”
The pain and grief is also met with anger as Shaniya’s mother has been charged with child abuse involving prostitution. Shaniya was seen on surveillance video being carried into a hotel by Mario McNeill, a 29 year old man now charged with first degree kidnapping. The discovery of Shaniya’s body swiftly ended hopes of those who believed they would find Shaniya alive. That hope and faith was seen in Shaniya’s father who appeared on CBS’ Early Show this morning, pleading for his little girl’s return.
Police have not yet released many details in the case, and a positive identification has not yet been announced, though the search for Shaniya Davis was officially called off after the discovery of the child’s body.
The senselessness and brutality of this horrific tragedy has left many across the nation asking why and how could a mother be an accessory to the kidnapping and assault of her own child. Though both McNeil and Antoinette Davis are accused and have not yet been convicted of any crime, the outrage the nation feels towards both of them is clearly evident.
Our hearts and prayers are with Bradley Lockhart and Shaniya Davis’ family. May justice be swiftly served.
Shaniya Davis father Bradley Lockhart appeared on the Nancy Grace show last night. He spoke about his life since Shaniya’s horrific death and answered several questions from Nancy. He stated that he is not sure what part of the grieving stage he is in. He also expressed feeling at times as if the entire situation was unreal.
