#AMBERAlert!
— NCMEC (@MissingKids) May 5, 2019
Maleah was last seen on May 4, 2019 in Houston, #Texas. When she was last seen she was wearing a light blue Under Armour jacket, blue jeans and grey tennis shoes with pink and white details.
Poster: https://t.co/yySXEYUoUw pic.twitter.com/UVXOdaLBmu
According to the Houston Chronicle, Darion Vence; his 4-year-old stepdaughter, Maleah Davis; and his toddler son, Kourtland, were heading to the Houston airport Friday night to pick up Maleah's mother when Vence pulled over to investigate a "popping noise," Houston police said. Moments later, three Hispanic men in a blue Chevy pickup pulled over, as well, Vence told investigators.
Vence said one of the men knocked him out, while another said Maleah "looks very nice, looks very sweet," according to Houston police Sgt. Mark Holbrook.
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 told police that he briefly regained consciousness in the back of the truck, saw the men and children, then blacked out again until 6 p.m. Saturday, the Chronicle reported. The men then left Vence and Kourtland near a highway in Sugar Land before fleeing with Maleah, Vence said.
Vence said he and his son walked along Highway 6 seeking help until they finally reached a hospital after 10 p.m. Saturday. He reported the incident to authorities, who issued an Amber Alert for Maleah on Sunday morning.
>> See more photos of Maleah here
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
Maleah, who is black, stands about 3 feet tall, weighs 30 to 40 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes, police said. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a pink hair bow, a light blue jacket and blue jeans with gray, white and pink sneakers, authorities said. Officials initially said Maleah was 5 years old, but they issued a correction Monday saying she is 4.
Maleah recently had brain surgery, police said.
Authorities also said the vehicle Vence had been driving, a 2011 Nissan Altima that belongs to Maleah's mother, is missing. The silver car has temporary tag number 330-92G9.
1/2: Photos displayed at the media briefing: first is victim's stolen car, a silver 2011 Nissan Altima with TX paper tags 3092G9, seen on a traffic camera near Hwy 59 & State Hwy 6 in Sugar Land about 3 pm Saturday (May 4). Second is photo likeness of suspects' blue truck. pic.twitter.com/rseWWqO4s4
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) May 5, 2019
Better quality, color photo taken by traffic camera of the stolen Nissan Altima with tags 330-92G9. #hounews pic.twitter.com/UizXnhIC4h
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) May 5, 2019
Vence is not considered a suspect in the case, police said.
If you have information about the case, please call 713-308-3600 or 713-222-TIPS.
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