Shaniya Davis Still Missing: 5-Year-Old Girl's Mother Antoinette Nicole Davis Accused Of Child Abuse Involving Prostitution

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Authorities acted on a tip Sunday and searched a wide area in south-central North Carolina trying to find a 5-year-old girl reported missing by her mother, who has been charged with human trafficking and child abuse involving prostitution.

Capt. Charles Kimble of the Fayetteville Police Department said several agencies spent the day looking for signs of Shaniya Davis between Spring Lake and Sanford, which are about 25 miles apart. Kimble would not elaborate on what information officers had received. They suspended the search at dark. The area included woods and some homes, police said.

"We're following up on a tip. It seems to be good, so we're out there looking," Kimble said.

The N.C. Highway Patrol sent a helicopter to aid in the search, Lt. Everett Clendenin said. Shaniya hasn't been seen since Tuesday, when a surveillance camera recorded the man charged in her kidnapping carrying the girl into a hotel room.

Earlier Sunday, authorities arrested Antoinette Nicole Davis, Shaniya's mother. The charges against Davis are related to her daughter's disappearance, said Theresa Chance, a spokeswoman for Fayetteville police.

According to arrest documents cited by The Fayetteville Observer, Davis "knowingly provide(d) Shaniya Davis with the intent that she be held in sexual servitude" and she "permit(ted) an act of prostitution."

Shaniya had only been living with her mother since last month. Davis reported the girl missing Tuesday morning from a mobile home community in Fayetteville, and authorities began searching nearby wooded areas.

Camera footage showed Mario Andrette McNeill carrying Shaniya into a hotel room, and he was arrested and charged with kidnapping on Friday. A kidnapping charge against a man described as Davis' boyfriend was dropped.

Authorities have said McNeill admitted to taking the girl, though his attorney says he will plead not guilty to the charge. They have not said if McNeill and Davis knew each other.

Police said a hotel worked spotted a child matching Shaniya's description at the hotel in Sanford, about 40 miles from Fayetteville. Relatives helped confirm that the child on the recording was Shaniya.

Fayetteville police officer Brian Gainey said Davis did not have an attorney and was scheduled to appear in court Monday.

Shaniya's father, Bradley Lockhart, told The Associated Press that he raised his daughter for several years but last month decided to let her stay with her mother.

"I should've never let her go over there," he said Saturday.

Lockhart said he did not know McNeill.

Comments

[roydar23]

This is so sad and what's even sick is the fact that this woman(not even close to being a Mom ) would allow some like this to happen intentionally to her child. This woman needs the death penalty and all the men that were involved need it as well. That little girl was innocent and she didn't deserve this. Do that crazy bitch know how many people are out here that would love to have a child. If she didn't want the little girl why didn't she leave her with her father.This is just sick and she is a sick woman. I hope they give her and all who were involved the death penalty. I pray that this little girl father can find peace.

[PoliticalRockChick]

Sick, just sick

[Annjell]

I see the reward is just $1000 - that's according to Nancy Grace.

I wish a fund is set up to help the natural father cover his expenses, loss of wages...I will be the first to donate to this one. He (father) seems to be the only sensible person throughout this sad/trying ordeal.

[PfromNC]

I am sadden to communicate, Shaniya Davis' body was found today.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7120664

[Annjell]

Thanks PfromNC. I would like to send a check to the dad, Mr. Lockhart. Should I send it via Fayobserver or Fayetteville PD?

Someone posted a message for me @Nancy Grace indicating the family set up a facebook page - but, I'm unsure. Sadly, there are folks that like to profit off other's misfortune. Not saying this is the case, but I'm sincere in sending a check to the dad so that he can use as see fit. I haven't seen any trust funds set up for the family, example, sometimes the news would announce a fund set up for a family.

[Annjell]

I pray for this beautiful little girl's return to her dad. I have to commend the dad for his parenting skills. I commend him because, I can't count on one hand the number of men I know that will accept the responsibility of raising, and loving a child resulting from a one night stand.

That said, I am a single parent. About twenty years ago, I had a male friend (no sex involved) tell me that some men tend to seek out single women with kids, meaning Pedophiles, and others up to no good. ***This validated my reason for not letting guys that I dated stay the night, or giving out the keys to my home....

All involved need the book thrown at them in court. What's most shocking, the mother's boyfriend says she's (Antoinette) pregnant with his child! This speaks volumes! The boyfriend further added that beautiful Shaniya was wearing his daughter's (from another relationship) clothing when she was kidnapped.

This is one reason abortions should not be banned! Period!

[maureen1002]

I don't understand how they have the man who was last seen with Shaniya, he even admitted to the kidnapping, yet they haven't found the girl yet!? We need to find Shaniya!!!!!!! I am praying daily that they find her safe and sound, and she will get placed into a loving, caring home. She is such a beautiful little girl, and looking at the mother's grimace and Mario's smug smile above make me want to throw up in my mouth! This is TERRIBLE.. what the heck is wrong with people???

[Paula Ann]

hours of classroom time, written and practical exams are needed for a drivers license; reputable dog breeders and shelters screen prospective owners. Yet if your body is able to gestate a fetus, you can be a mother, in full charge and responsibility of a precious life.

[garrett h]

Mommy dearest...her picture says it all. SCARY.

[Plurabelle06]

The parents should be euthanized in the animal control office because I don't think someone like that is human. Poor child. I hope she is at least found alive. Given her life so far, finding her safe or well is beyond hope.

[PeanutButterJellyGirl]

I've been following this story and I knew there was something off w/ the family. I am so sorry for that little girl. I hope they find her and she is able to heal. There is no punishment severe enough for someone that would hurt a child.

[thegirlnextdoor]

Good heavens - who wants to have sex with a five year old. WTF?
That's not sex, that's power and terror. Sex is something fun with consenting adults!

[myj66]

speechless.

my brain can't handle this; it's just too disturbing.

[brady61995]

in all that i read i dont see where sex was involved. it appeared that she owed money and gave up her girl as collateral. its too hard to tell all the stories have limited information. this guy admitted to kidnapping her but they are not saying what he did with her.

[AmericanLeslie]

CNN used to do the same sort of political hall monitoring before it went down the tubes with intelligent readers

[Jennifer Lynn Rupel]

Bring back Tarring and Feathering. I hope the women in jail with her let her know how they feel about sharing a cell with her. Sharing air for that matter.

[brady61995]

i hope if anyone else is involved in this or has any knowledge they are prosicuted as well. its the most horrible story i have read in along time. what is wrong with people, how can they be so barbaric to their own children. and the man at the hotel. theres only one place for him.