Shaniya Davis Case Update
Shaniya Davis; the 5 year old girl kidnapped, sold into prostitution, and later killed; died of asphyxiation according to Fayetteville, North Carolina authorities. The little girl, to whom so many have reached out over these last few days, was last seen alive via security camera, in the arms of one Mario McNeil, whom police now say was a family acquaintance. Other details from toxicology and other testing have not been concluded, but McNeil has now been charged with murder as well.
Fayetteville police held a press conference revealing these new developments in the case. An autopsy conducted on Shaniya verified her identity as well as the fact that she had been raped and then asphyxiated. Police do not know the exact method of asphyxiation as of yet, but they suspect she was not killed at the hotel where she was seen in the arms of McNeil. He now faces first degree kidnapping, first degree murder, and rape of a child charges.
Everyone associated with the case has been deeply disturbed by Shaniya’s fate. Officers and volunteers, as well as the community, have been deeply affected by this gruesome crime. The Fayetteville Police Department said they have had an extremely difficult time emotionally in this case. Police Chief Tom Bergamine was obviously shaken while reporting the cause of death, as have many other officers and all the people involved. Police Captain Charles Kimball, the chief investigator on the case, sated it best; “We go home and face our own children, this has been a tough case.” Kimball said it was the toughest case he has ever worked in 14 years on the force.
Readers here have expressed deep sorry and emotional disturbance over this affair as well. We all feel conflicted, angry, and are aghast at how human beings do things like this to such innocent little ones. The video below via WRAL and the Examiner, reveals more of the details. For us here at Everything PR News, our hearts are with Shaniya. What a terrible story.
About the Author
Phil Butler is editor-in-chief of Everything PR and senior partner at Pamil Visions PR. He’s a widely cited authority on beta startups, search engines and public relations issues, and he has covered tech news since 2004. Phil wrote in the past for ReadWriteWeb, Mashable, Profy, SitePoint, Search Engine Journal, AltSearchEngines. Follow Phil on Twitter or send him an email at phil [at] pamil-visions [dot] com.
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Comment by Bradford on 20 November 2009:
Shaniya has touched the hearts of thousands across the globe, she was a dear little child who should have been here to see the sunrise today. I know i am not alone in hoping that both Davis and McNeill get punishment fitting for their heinous crimes.
There is no excuse for their actions, there must not be any excuse for their actions put forward. It must be shown that we stand united and will not tolerate this abhorrent behavior – sentence them to death
Comment by paula on 20 November 2009:
At this moment I would like to share a lonely moment with both the raper and the mother. I will show them what pain means. I am a mother I beleive in god, buth when this kind of things happen, I forget about my principles. They deserve to suffer!
Comment by Bee from SA on 20 November 2009:
How did we get to this point where a life means nothing, especially when it’s an innocent life. I don’t understand how anyone can be so depraved to use an innocent child merely for their own entertainment and pleasure and after he was finished with her it meant nothing to just discard of her. What happened to Shaniya was pure evil, the work of the devil. This little girl will have safety, protection and love in heaven and hopefully her murderer has enough of a conscience to know whats waiting for him.
Comment by Eve on 21 November 2009:
The devils incarnated. You two scums deserve a torturous death – I hope they give it to you in jail. As for angel Shaniya, she’s in the arms of our Lord. I just can’t believe her father didn’t know what was going on in that scum’s house.
Comment by brie on 23 November 2009:
I would like to send my deep regrets to the REAL family of Shaniya in this position. I am praying for you all. This is really sad and have hurt me so deeply because I have a daughter who is soon to be 2. I hope the murders get what they deserve because this beautiful little woman did not deserve this at all. My prayers are with you 100%. Love u all.
Comment by Anne on 27 November 2009:
There is absolutely no reason for this beautiful little girl to be dead. The system and the adults in her life who were supposed to protect her have failed her horribly. One thing is certain, though. The mother who sold her, and the man who used and discarded her, are going to fare badly in jail. Of course, that will be nothing compared to the final judgment of God on them.
But any of her relatives who stood by and did nothing while she was being abused and neglected should also share some blame.
I just wish she could have been left with relatives on either side of her family who were responsible and caring. Her father used atrocious judgment in giving her over to he mother when he knew she had issues, and he will have to live with that until he dies. There were very sound reasons for the fact that he had custody in the first place.
Comment by Texasyella on 30 November 2009:
I truly agree with you Anne. When a person has issues you cannot leave anything cherisable in their possession. Mind altering chemicals affects decision making. If she could not do for herself, how could she do for her children? I am surprised the school did not reach out after she was withdrawn. Protective Services didn’t seem involved. Shaniya’s paternal family never stepped inside the residence where she was staying. If only I could been working at the hotel…how long did it take officers to get to the hotel? When was the call made from hotel? So many unanswered questions. There is one thing for sure, she is in heaven in the arms of Jesus.
Comment by jade on 1 December 2009:
god bless little shaniya.That man show be ashmed of himslef an also the mother.Why would you even put such a child through that horror.The mother was suppose to protect her not send her to her death. God will take everything in to his own matters.little shaniya she is so adorable, and has a gorgous smile. God please help the ather through this and the rest of her family. And punish the people who did this to a child. R.I.P shaniya.
Comment by Devon on 2 December 2009:
Simply put the mother and the raper to death, do not waste any time or effort. Find them guilty, hall their sorry a—s off to the death chamber and execute them, and pray that they feel a pain that is unbearable that they beg for mercy but get none.
That is what is wrong with our society, we give these monsters who are 100% guilty to many chances and some actually have will even show them compassion and state who are we to take their lives.
If there is a god, he gave us the power of choice, now we need to choose our innocent children safety over these Monsters who prey on them and just purge them from this earth one by one.
Comment by Lachita on 19 December 2009:
This is really and truly a disgrace!! I am so outraged at what happened to this innocent little angel Shaniya. She did not deserve this the justice system needs to fry these two monsters in the electric chair and let everyone in the world watch.