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.
Yesterday, at 3:00 p.m. ET, in a Fayetteville, North Carolina church, Manna Church, the world said goodbye to Shaniya Davis. The five year old girl touched the heart of the nation as her story of betrayal by her mother led to her horrific abuse and death. The Shaniya Davis funeral was open to the public and was standing room only. Streaming live on the Internet, many were able to share their grief and sorrow by paying their final respects to this beautiful angel.
As mourners filled the church, a photo display of Shaniya Davis was streamed on the overhead projector. Never before released photos of Shaniya were displayed. These photos showed Shaniya with her father, Bradley Lockhart and her siblings. As the photos were shown, mourners could be seen attending to Bradley Lockhart and offering their sympathies.
Opening with a song, the Shaniya Davis funeral focused greatly on dependence upon Jesus Christ throughout the difficult time that Shaniya’s family and community face. The service was also a call to action for the community as well. Bradley Lockhart spoke directly to the nation and challenged those viewing to get involved with their communities. He referred to those who have addictions and problems that they cannot overcome and requested that people get involved in assisting those to find the help they need. By doing so, the world would be a safer place and tragedies like Shaniya’s wouldn’t happen again.
The Biblical passage focused upon throughout the service was 2 Corinthians chapter 5. The passage focuses on the body being a temporary dwelling-our earthly tent. Much talk was given to the glorious reunion that would one day occur between Shaniya Davis and her family, as well as all believers in the faith. Prayer was offered for forgiveness, and for strength and comfort to help Shaniya’s family through this tragic and overwhelmingly difficult time.
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.
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.
