Total Reward In Maleah Davis Case Raised To $27,500 As Police Desperately Search For The Missing Girl
UPDATE 05/31/2019:
The reward for information leading to the whereabouts of 4-year-old Maleah Davis has been increased to $27,500.
As pressure to find the missing child continues to mount, Crime Stoppers announced on May 31 the organization will offer up to $12,500 for anyone who can identify the suspect or suspects responsible for the girl’s disappearance, reported KTRK.
In combination with the $15,000 being offered by the Houston Police Department — $10,000 donation from Ronnie and Karen Bias, of Louisiana and $5,000 from Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo — the total reaches nearly $30,000.
In a statement posted to Twitter, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said he hopes the increase in reward money will close the case once and for all.
"The sadness surrounding Maleah Davis' disappearance has captured the hearts of our city and the nation," Turner said. "I appreciate those who continue to search for the missing 4-year-old, but it is time to find Maleah and bring her home."
PREVIOUS:
As the search for missing Houston 4-year-old Maleah Davis continues, the reward for information in her disappearance was increased to $20,000.
Crime Stoppers of Houston first offered a reward of $5,000 for information on the girl’s case shortly after she disappeared. During the third week of the search, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said his department will provide an additional $5,000 of reward money.
Then on the evening on May 23, Ronnie and Karen Bias, of Louisiana, offered an additional $10,000, bringing the total reward to $20,000, reported Click2Houston.
Officials have tirelessly searched for the missing girl since she was first reported missing on May 4 by Derion Vence, her mother’s ex-fiance.
According to investigators, Vence said he, Maleah and Maleah’s 1-year-old brother were attacked on May 3 when he stopped to check a damaged tire. He said during the attack, he was knocked out and when he regained consciousness, Maleah was gone.
However, after blood was found in the family’s apartment, Vence was later arrested and charged with tampering with evidence.
During a press conference Thursday, Acevedo said they believe Maleah was killed and Vence knows where to find her body.
"You could drive a big rig right through the tales this guy has been telling," Acevedo told reporters.
Acevedo also gave a direct plea to the public to help give Maleah’s family the closure they need, as her case is not one of "a cat buried in the yard."
"The evidence shows that we believe she has been murdered. Let's bring this baby home, proper burial," he said at the press conference. "Without finding that body, there is a hole left out there. We want to give them the closure, of both charges and finding her body."
“Maleah deserved to be found, be recovered and deserves a proper burial, and we need the community’s help,” Acevedo added.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
- advertisement