CaptionCrews searching for a missing 5-year-old have found a body that is believed to be of Shaniya Davis. Fayetteville Police are still waiting for SBI officials to exhume the body and provide a positive identification.
About 200 people, consisting of law enforcement and volunteers, searched Monday near the Lee/Harnett County line after receiving a tip the child's body may have been dumped in the area. Searchers combed the Walker Road corridor off of Highway 87.
Full Coverage: Search For Shaniya Davis
They worked to comb every inch of land around this stretch of Highway 87 from the air, with K-9's and ATVs.
About four hours into their day, searchers discovered the body about 100 feet off Walker Road.
"You have a lot of people in shock right now. You always hold out hope that you're going to be able to reunite, especially a child with their family," said Theresa Chance, spokeswoman for the Fayetteville PD.
After Shaniya's body was found, a solemn group of searchers met quietly at a nearby fire station to ensure that all volunteers were accounted for.
"She's a beautiful girl and my heart just goes out and I'm really very angry and outrages because of this," said volunteer Reginald Monroe.
Davis had been missing since last Tuesday. Her mother Antoinette Davis, who reported her gone, is charged with human trafficking and felony child abuse-prostitution.
Davis was calm and quiet during a five-minute court appearance in Fayetteville on Monday afternoon. She provided one-word answers to the judge's questions and held her hands in front of her, without handcuffs. She requested a court-appointed attorney and did not enter a plea.
But Antoinette Davis' family is standing by her.
"I just don't believe she has anything to do with it," said Yvonne Mitchell, Antoinette Davis' aunt. "Maybe she met somebody crazy or something and I don't know. But I don't think she had anything to do with it...It's not making any sense. Since this has happened, nothing has made sense. Nothing."
Barbara Davenport, property manager at Sleepy Hollow Mobile Home Park, where Shaniya was first reported missing says she mourns for Shaniya.
"I don't know what kind of hell that little girl went through the last few weeks she was on this earth. But now, right now I know that she is smiling and laughing and happy because Jesus is holding her safe," said Davenport.
Mario Andrette McNeill, 29, has been charged with kidnapping after admitting that he took the child.
Shaniya's father, Bradley Lockhart, said he raised his daughter for several years but last month decided to let her stay with her mother. He had pleaded for her safe return.
"I should've never let her go over there," he told The Associated Press on Saturday.
Before Shaniya's body was found, he said on CBS's "The Early Show" Monday that he remained hopeful someone would bring his daughter somewhere safe, such as a police station or hospital.
"They can drop her off at Walmart, I don't care," he said.
Shaniya Davis' neighbors are planning to hold a memorial later this week.
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- FRANJ on 11/21 07:50 PM
I knew Shaniyas father was somehow connected to drugs!
- Tammy k Williams on 11/17 07:39 AM
Rest in peace sweet girl! For the lord has made you a wonderful resting place. A place to take all your hurt away! We all love you my child!
- Amy on 11/16 10:35 PM
Shaniya's dad also lost his wife to murder 11 years ago. How sad for him. His children grew up without their mom which may be why he wanted Shaniya to be able to know her mother. I didn't understand his reasoning until I found this article online: Fayetteville Observer, The (NC) October 13, 2000 Section: Local & State Man guilty in triple shotgun slaying Article Text: A staff report In March 1998, three men were accused of binding, gagging and shooting five people with a shotgun at a home on Graham Road. On Thursday, a jury found one of those men, Woody Magee III, guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder. The Cumberland County Superior Court jury deliberated about two hours before returning with a verdict, Assistant District Attorney Calvin Colyer said. Testimony began the day before. Magee was found guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of sisters Vickie Lockhart and Channel Coleman and guilty of second-degree murder in the death of David Epps. All of the victims lived in Cumberland County. Magee is 20 and is from Franklinton, La. Magee was also found guilty of five counts of armed robbery, five counts of first-degree kidnapping and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. He was found not guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery. Magee is the second person to be convicted in the case. In December, Vincent Thomas was sentenced to life in prison without parole. A trial is pending for Litdell Burkhalter Jr. The defense put on no testimony during Magee's trial. Colyer said the state did not seek the death penalty against him, partly because Thomas was the shooter and did not get the death sentence. A sentencing hearing for Magee is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday. Colyer said he expects defense witnesses to testify during that phase. According to earlier testimony, Magee and Burkhalter, who are cousins, helped Thomas plan and execute the crimes. Thomas visited Thorsten Malin's home about 9 p.m. to buy $20 worth of cocaine from him. Thomas left and returned to the Graham Road home a few hours later, accompanied by Magee and Burkhalter, with a shotgun and gray duct tape, according to testimony. Malin and the four others were inside. After beating Malin in the face with a blunt object, Thomas forced Malin and Lockhart from a bedroom into the living room area of Malin's duplex. The others were in that room already. All five were bound and gagged with duct tape. Thomas and Burkhalter ransacked the home while Magee brandished the shotgun. Thomas shot the five, Colyer said, after Magee handed him the gun. Malin was slashed across the throat and shot in the leg. He escaped through a side window. Parker was shot, but survived. Colyer said there was no evidence to suggest that Coleman or Lockhart had any connection to the drugs at the home. He said Lockhart and Malin knew each other, and the sisters stopped off at the home after Lockhart had picked up Coleman at the beauty shop. They were preparing to leave the home when it was invaded, Colyer said. Colyer said the sister's parents, Byron and Phyllis Coleman, appeared to be relieved and satisfied with the verdict, but this trial was even harder for them than the first. ''I think it was just an emotionally difficult experience for them to have to relive through again,'' Colyer said.
- WB2C Outreach Ministries on 11/16 07:49 PM
Father, In the mighty name of Jesus, We ask that the report on this little girl and any other missing children is of a good report. Shaniya, we speak life over you that you are alive and well. May the devils of this world reign NOT in her situation. We know you love her as much as we do. This is your little daughter. Now Father we pray ministering angels will protect her and bring her home to her family safely as we wait for the report and thank you in Jesus name. Amen
- elba on 11/16 07:10 PM
God forgive me, just give me 5 minutes with that so call human, and after tourcher both of those 2 mother f.... not kill them cause thats having mercy an them.the one they didnt have with this little girl.I hope they burn here first and hell after. I feel so so sorry for this father and my prayers goes to him.
- ROCKTOTO on 11/16 06:24 PM
ITS TIME TO QUIT PLAYING WITH DEEZ SICKO 'S THERE NO NEED FOR A TRIAL THE ACT HAS BEEN DONE IT SEEMS THIS HAPPEN EVERY WEEK I AM TRIED OF HEARING THAT A LITTLE KID HAS BEEN TAKING WHEN WILL US JUST MEN TAKE UP FOR THE WEAK OF SOCIETY STOP AND THINK NO NO REALLY STOP AND THINK WHAT THIS CHILD WAS THINKING DURING THIS ORDEAL UNTIL THE FINAL MOMENT NO BETTER YET REPLACE THIS CHILDS FACE WITH YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER AND VISUALIZE THE FINAL MOMENTS R U IRATE GOOD LETS DO SOMETHING IT TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Tracy on 11/16 05:40 PM
It is ridiculous... As many people out here that cant have any kids... And u take this adorable lil girl and do something like this.... My heart goes out to the family.. Both if this mother had anything to do with it they need to give her the punishment that she deserves..
- amber on 11/16 05:26 PM
I am a mother and no matter if they are new born or older, no one should have to go through this type of pain. I pray to GOD he have mercy on their souls. Just know Shaniya is holding GOD's hand saying; it's all over, I'm home!!!!! My prayers are still with the family.
- John Andretti on 11/16 05:09 PM
This is a crime against all of humanity. The perverse sickness of the people involved who committed this crime is beyond expression. Humanity is sick. This country is sick. Our society is sick. Every human being should be ashamed that this was allowed to happen to a little girl. The people charged better be glad I am not part of law enforcement.
- Chris Miller on 11/16 04:25 PM
Another innocent now in the Father's presence, along with Baby Michael and Baby Christopher. God have mercy on those responsible, because I don't think I could.
- ELSA HENDRICKS on 11/16 04:11 PM
I AM A MOTHER OF A 5 YEAR OLD GIRL AND I CAN NOT IMAGINE THE PAIN OF THE FAMILY WHO CARE ABOUT THE LITTLE GIRL. I FELL VERY SORRY FOR THEIR LOST. I HOPE JEHOVA WILL REMEMBER THE LITTLE GIRL AND PONISH THE PEOPLE WHO HURT HER.
