Updated 11/20/2009: Authorities confirm Shaniya Davis was raped and asphyxiated on the same day she was taken.
The father of 5-year-old Shaniya Davis also told Oprah Winfrey today that the girl's mother trafficked the child to pay off a drug debt.
November 17, 2009
A medical examiner confirmed today that a body found in the woods was that of missing 5 year old Shaniya Davis.
Shaniya's mother, 25-year-old Antoinette Davis was charged over the weekend with human trafficking and selling the child into prostitution; she is currently facing 40 years in prison.
Fayetteville police believe Shaniya was alive when she left the hotel room where they last saw her on a surveillance camera with the alleged kidnapper. They also said they had “new information” about the case, prompting them to cancel a news conference scheduled for this afternoon. Police expect additional charges to be filed.
An actual cause of death still hasn't been determined.
[mashshare]
