The search for a missing 4-year-old in Texas has been suspended on May 8 due to heavy flooding.
Texas EquuSearch, which has crews helping to look for Maleah Davis, announced the suspension early Wednesday, saying the areas where the search was planned “have been flooded with the recent heavy rains.”
“This could restrict us from being effective in finding Maleah. Some of the areas are now filled with deep rain water, and this would greatly limit our searchers and accessibility. We will issue a call-out once we plan to resume the search for Maleah. Maleah is an innocent victim, and there is no excuse for anyone causing her disappearance. The rain may slow us, but it won’t stop, or discourage us from finding little Maleah,” the group added.
Maleah’s stepfather Darion Vence told police officers that he was with her and his 1-year-old son in Houston on May 4 when they were accosted by three men he described as Hispanic.
Anyone with information on Maleah’s whereabouts is urged to contact HPD Homicide at 713-308-3600 or @CrimeStopHOU at 713-222-TIPS. Media partners: all updates on this case will be disseminated here. #hounews pic.twitter.com/8F0PRPRgFN
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) May 5, 2019
2/2: Photo of assault victim, Mr. Darion Vence, who is Maleah’s stepfather, stated he was unconscious for almost 24 hrs. Detectives ask anyone who saw Darion or Maleah after 9 pm Friday (May 3) to 6 pm on Sat to contact HPD Homicide 713-308-3600 or @CrimeStopHOU at 713-222-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/nuZHA1EQPY
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) May 5, 2019
Vence said he was driving to pick up Maleah’s mother, Brittany Bowens, when he was forced to pull over when he heard a noise that sounded like a flat tire.
When he got out of his car, he said he was approached by the trio, who he said were in a blue Chevy truck. After hearing the men say that Maleah looked “very nice” and “very sweet,” Vence claimed he was knocked on the head and when he came to he was in Sugar Land. His son was with him but Maleah was gone.
Maleah was described as an African-American female with black hair and brown eyes, standing approximately 3 feet tall and weighing between 30 and 40 pounds.
Police later said that Vence changed his story and is a person of interest in the case.
BREAKING! We’re hearing from Maleah Davis’ mother. Missing 4-year-old’s stepfather says she was kidnapped by 3 men who allegedly beat him, left him on side of road w/a toddler, before taking off w/Maleah. Where is this precious girl? #abc13 https://t.co/6kxhGezkfi pic.twitter.com/iLDUyKwwB1
— Samica Knight (@SamicaKnight13) May 6, 2019
PLEASE SHARE!! 4-year old Maleah Davis has been missing since Friday, after police say her step-dad claims she was kidnapped by 3 men driving a blue Chevy pickup. Time is of the essence! Maleah recently underwent brain surgery and needs constant medical care. #khou11 #htownrush pic.twitter.com/VGznw2hoHZ
— Michelle Choi (@MichelleKHOU) May 6, 2019
The Sugar Land Police Department is assisting the Houston Police Department in the investigation. Sugar Land officers told Fox 26 that Vence’s story has been inconsistent.
“Police say he first told detectives he walked to the hospital, then he said he was dropped off. Police are looking at surveillance cameras in that area,” the broadcaster reported. Houston Police Department officers told the broadcaster that Vence is now a person of interest.
Houston Police Department Sgt. Mark Holbrook previously noted that Vence’s story contained “a lot of blanks.”
Issuing a call for help from members of the public, he added in a press conference: “We’re hoping the public can fill in the blanks.”