CaptionThe father of a North Carolina girl who was kidnapped and killed said Tuesday he made the best decision he could at the time when he let her live with her mother, who has since been charged with prostituting the child.
Bradley Lockhart said during an interview on NBC's "Today" show that he regrets how the decision turned out, but thought he was making the right choice at the time.
"We obviously make decisions in life that sometimes have repercussions or adverse situations that drift from our decision. We just have to continue to believe in God and hope that our decisions are the correct ones," he said.
Lockhart said he last saw Shaniya in early October as he left for an out-of-state work assignment. The girl moved in with Antoinette Davis, 25, about a week later after initially staying with Lockhart's sister, he said.
He said he spoke to Davis after she reported the girl missing Nov. 10. Police said she was killed the same day. Lockhart said he hasn't spoken to Davis since she was charged last week with human trafficking and child abuse by prostitution of her daughter.
Mario McNeill is charged with murder, rape and kidnapping.
Lockhart said he didn't think he missed any warning signs that Shaniya would be at risk if he accepted Davis's request to help raise the girl.
"I don't think I really missed any. Of course there's always speculation. There's always things you could look at and say, well maybe, maybe not," Lockhart said.
The North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force will review contacts the Cumberland County Department of Social Services had with Davis, who also has a 7-year-old son, The Fayetteville Observer reported Tuesday.
"This is a family that was already known to social service workers down there," task force co-chairman Tom Vitaglione said. "They are all very distraught about the whole thing."
The task force, a division of the state Department of Health and Human Services, will look at when local social services workers first contacted the family, what the status of the case was, and if proper procedures were followed, Vitaglione said. Investigators also will consider the impact of state and local budget cuts on social service agencies, he said.
"Child protective service divisions have been hit particularly hard," Vitaglione said.
The Cumberland County agency's director said last week releasing any information about contacts with the Davis family would jeopardize any potential criminal case.
Full Coverage: Shaniya Davis Case
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- Torri Cook on 11/25 04:02 PM
The father and the loving aunt seem to love the limelight don't they? Hell you just put your daughter who was violently murdered in the ground on Saturday and your on the TODAY show on MONDAY!!! Some grieving father and aunt. Their stories don't jive! Have not jived from DAY ONE! But I like the fact that they have such direahh for the mouth because their very words will be the nooses that they hang themselves by! The world sees thru the bull crap and see these two for what they are. THEY FAILED SHAYNIA PERIOD!@ I want to know what is going to happen to all the money that was donated to their money to the Wachovia fund for Shaynia? I will be pissed times ten if I find out they are spending it on house and BMW payments. The Fayetteville PD is watching these two too. Soon is coming!
- Protect our children on 11/24 10:47 PM
I really think in our country there are a lot of Shaniya out there and missing children were being trafficked ,abused and who fails them? Shaniya's story defintely a wake up to everyone that we need to do something to protect our children especially we knew there is a huge demand out there and that's why so many missing children and where are all these kids now?? We need to protect our children cause they have no one to protect them if their parents and govt fails to protect them. I was saddened by Shaniya story but I really think it is time for all of us to step up and to support our local Children Protection Agency and stop children Trafficking in our country.
- I LOVE SHANIYA on 11/24 05:50 PM
I really don't understand how the aunt and father not see the living conditions of the house?How is it the we can all see the trashy trailer on TV and figure out that it's a dump.I haven't seen the inside of it but I can only imagine.I would have never dropped off my princess there.My ex had my daughter every other weekend I knew made sure his place was appropriate for my child.Everytime I picked up my daugher I would ask her 20 questions not because of being nosey but because I wanted to make sure he was taking care of her.Did anyone bother asking Shaniya what it was like when she was at her mom's house?This whole tragedy could've been avoided if someone would've just cared.Sounds to me like little Shaniya was just bounced around from person to person because nobody had the time to watch her.I felt sorry for Brad and I still do because no matter what he is the father but he did fail her.We know the mother is a dead beat but Brad was the only really good thing Shaniya had.He should have protected her from her mother and her evilness.If its clear as water to me how is it that he was blind to see it all and to still deny to this day that he did not know about drugs and all this other stuff.Look at the mother and tell me you do not see trash.Shaniya, sweetie RIP angel.Now you are in heaven with Jesus.He has you and has loved you from the beginning and now you are safe with him.Antoinette and Mario may you both rot in hell but I wish you both triple the misery that you both put this sweet baby through!
- BabyGirl on 11/24 05:27 PM
I agree with everything that has been said. Shaniya's father is to some extent at fault. The mother is a prostitute and a drug addict. She has only been "clean" allegedly for six months. That is in no way proof that "the mother" has turned her life around and is walking the straight and narrow. The only way she would have seen Shaniya is with supervised visits and nothing more. I can't believe how stupid the father is behaving! No accountability at all. DSS is equally responsible. I understand budget constraints and lack of resources, but DSS is very familiar with the Davis family. There is no excuse for what happened. There is enough blame to go around and DSS needs to stop blaming budget constraints as an excuse for not doing their jobs. DSS has always had budget problems in the past when the state's economy was doing well. I'm sick of all the "pissy" excuses being thrown out there!!! The mother should be tortured and thrown into the incinerator. And to make matters worse, the stupid fool is pregnant again!!! This clearly demonstrates her inability to think and behave rationally, but then again, "crack-heads" never do. NO one stood up for Shaniya's right to live.
- Mischelle on 11/24 02:44 PM
You are really unbelievable Brad…I know Shaniya wont come back by me saying what a selfish person you are…but even now..You actually try to hide behind the excuses you have been living in for years. What is the excuse for neglecting your other children? You are right we make choices we have to then deal with..but you made a crappy choice more then once, children are not just something you create and drag around…you love and protect, they depend on us on the choices we make.. here you have failed more then once. I am not here to judge you…but stop using God now…where was you faith when you were sleeping with every woman possible..Even Shaniya’s mom..How old are you again? How old was she when you got her pregnant? I am so freaken mad at your lack of judgment and you still have some stupid excuse…. The only pity I have for you is that for as long as you live and every breath you take is a breath you daughter is not…I would have loved to have been her mom…I don’t even know her and I love her…
- She was Failed on 11/24 01:14 PM
This poor child was failed by the adults around her. That monster of a "mother" needs to be sterilized. She'd better pray to God for forgiveness because I don't think she will find it among the rest of the community. What has been done to this Beautiful child is a complete Nightmare. I'm afraid the father, his sister, and other family members will all be questioning themselves for a long time to come. I pray for Mercy for these people.
- She was failed on 11/24 12:14 PM
I cannot understand her father. He has yet to say when he last spoke with Shaniya. Did he really never check up on her? It's absolutely inconceivable that Shaniya was simply left there. Who are these people? They all failed her. I was pro death penalty and this only strengthens my belief. Our children are our greatest resources; protect them and respect them or suffer the ultimate penalty. I demand justice for Shaniya. Her story has haunted me from day one. I am now going to go and hug my 3 daughters; one of whom is 5, all of whom are bi-racial. I am one angry Mom. I know so many people who would have died for the chance to be a parent to Shaniya. Her life and death needs to be investigated to the fullest. People need to pay for what happened to her. God please erase from her the knowledge of her miserably short life. Protect her in heaven.
- NYC on 11/24 11:43 AM
I agree with you too also remember little Shaniya.Her dad should of got a court order and supervised visit.I wonder if he ever checked in side to see how she was living with her mom.The state of NC need to charge her mom with felony murder.
- Hollygirl on 11/24 11:32 AM
The problem with this situation is the natural mother trumps everyone when there isn't a formal custody agreement. Basically from what the Aunt said, the mother took the child, took her out of school and the Aunt couldn't do anything about it. An enforceable custody agreement (consent order) could have given the Aunt custodial rights and she could have intervened. Without it, noone could. Having lived in this state for seven years now, and learning by being on the losing end of do-it-yourself legal conflicts, you need a lawyer for just about any type of conflict. The father should have retained a lawyer from day one, especially working out-of-state so much and leaving his sister in charge. I hope anyone who has any type of questionable custodial agreements learn from this and get it formalized!
- rest in peace Shaniya on 11/24 11:13 AM
Her father defends letting Shaniya go to her mother's house? That is unbelievable! I do blame him too in her horrible death, he knew what type of person she was from day one. Everyone knew and he was warned, was he blind to the fact that this woman was a prostitue and a drug abuser? Even his neighbors knew something was wrong with Shaniya visiting her mother! I am horrified that this happened to this beautiful little girl and that the adults in her life failed her!!! It says that he talked to the mother on the day she disappeared, what about the days before that? Did the loving Aunt check on her or go see her or pick her up after the two days were up? She said she packed her with 2 days worth of clothes so did she go and try to pick Shaniya up? NO! Now the baby is dead and her dad is defending the decision he made. This monster was never a fit parent and never fit enough to have Shaniya alone and he knew it. Yes, Mr. Lockhart you signed your daughter's death certificate and I hope you are suffering in guilt over this. To her mother and Mario, I hope you two burn in hell and suffer a horrible death. To you Shaniya, You were failed by the adults in your life that should have put you first and protected you the way you deserved. I wish I could turn back the clock and take away the pain you felt. Rest in peace beatiful angel, you're in God's hands now and are too an angel
- gsimmons on 11/24 11:10 AM
Her father defends letting Shaniya go to her mother's house? That is unbelievable! I do blame him too in her horrible death, he knew what type of person she was from day one. Everyone knew and he was warned, was he blind to the fact that this woman was a prostitue and a drug abuser? Even his neighbors knew something was wrong with Shaniya visiting her mother! I am horrified that this happened to this beautiful little girl and that the adults in her life failed her!!! It says that he talked to the mother on the day she disappeared, what about the days before that? Did the loving Aunt check on her or go see her or pick her up after the two days were up? She said she packed her with 2 days worth of clothes so did she go and try to pick Shaniya up? NO! Now the baby is dead and her dad is defending the decision he made. This monster was never a fit parent and never fit enough to have Shaniya alone and he knew it. Yes, Mr. Lockhart you signed your daughter's death certificate and I hope you are suffering in guilt over this. To her mother and Mario, I hope you two burn in hell and suffer a horrible death. To you Shaniya, You were failed by the adults in your life that should have put you first and protected you the way you deserved. I wish I could turn back the clock and take away the pain you felt. Rest in peace beatiful angel, you're in God's hands now and are too an angel.
- HeartBroken on 11/24 10:07 AM
I totally agree with the above comments by Remember Little Shaniya. Dad should have Never allowed her to live with mom especially with mom's history. He should have remembered the circumstances that she was conceived. I'm heart broken for him and the family. This little girl did not deserve such horrible end to her life. I Thank God for Grace and Mercy. He will repay all involved. I know he graciously and lovingly welcomed his little Angel home.
- Remember Little Shaniya on 11/24 09:46 AM
I think it's good that the Dept. of Social Services is being investigated by the State of NC This little girl reportedly had cigarette burns and the mother was known in the trailer park for being a prostitute. This child was definitely at high risk for abuse and/or neglect. These social workers need to talk to people in the community. Knowing the mother was a prostitute, was doing drugs, and had different men in and out of the home, she should have never been allowed to be around Shaniya unsupervised. And the father should have never sent his little girl to live in such a neighborhood. If he wanted to give the mother a chance to be in the child's life, he should have gradually allowed her to come see the child supervised and for no longer than a few hours at a time, but never to live in that horrible neighborhood.
