Today the nation mourns the brutal death of Shaniya Davis. Funeral services are scheduled today at 3 p.m. at the Manna Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Those wishing to say goodbye to this beautiful child are welcome to attend, services are open to the public.
In loving memory of Shaniya Davis
Over the years the custody battles have plagued the two families, but Shaniya’s death is mending the gap between them. “It’s like someone cutting your heart out, we lost a son in 1991, then losing Shaniya here is very hard on the family,” says Byron. He and his wife Phyllis have lost three children total since 1991, so they understand the heartbreak Bradley is working through. He says he even told Bradley Shaniya could live with them if she wanted to so she could be with her half-brothers and sisters.
Shaniya Davis
Shaniya Davis
Investigators in Fayetteville, North Carolina confirm the body found yesterday is in fact the body of little Shaniya Davis. The official cause of death is still under investigation. Police and volunteers were led to an area after they received information that Shaniya’s body was possibly dumped near a corridor off Highway 87 near the Lee/Harnett County Line. The area where Shaniya was found is heavily wooded, and is about seven miles away from where she was last seen seven days ago at a hotel. Pictures below allegedly show her in the arms of a man named Mario McNeill.
November 10, 2009
Last confirmed sighting
According to police, it appears Shaniya was alive when Mario McNeill allegedly took her from the hotel in Sanford.
Antoniette Davis mugshot
On Saturday, November 15, 2009, Shaniya’s mother, Antoniette Nicole Davis was arrested and charged with Human Trafficking and felony Child Abuse involving prostitution, Filing a False Police Report, and Resist, Delay or Obstructing Justice. Antoniette Nicole Davis, 25, is scheduled to appear in court today, November 16, 2009, and is currently being held on a $50,000 bail.
SHANIYA DAVIS MISSING
SHANIYA DAVIS MISSING
On Tuesday, November 10, 2009, Fayetteville Police were dispatched to 1116-A Sleepy Hollow Drive to investigate a child missing. When officers arrived, a mother told them that her 5-year-old daughter, Shaniya Daivs was last seen that morning at 5:30 a.m. inside the house. Investigators hit the ground, and an immediate search began. That search today is on-going with the assistance of K-9’s, the local Fire Department, and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
Barbara Davenport, current Sleepy Hollow manager, and retired Investigator with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office says she oversees 98 units in the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood. Barbara told me, “the family moved in on August 5, 2009… I only rented to a woman named Brenda Davis and her son, so it was a surprise when Antoinette, her boyfriend, and other children were there… I’ve never seen this little girl, and I would remember seeing someone that cute.”
Michelle Sigona is a crime fighting, victims advocate extraordinaire, but for Michelle -- the good fight doesn't stop there. In her spare time, she is a volunteer firefighter -- and now, she is tackling the issues and cases that mean the most to her....
