The Texas man named as a person of interest in connection with the disappearance of Audrii Cunningham babysat the 11-year-old girl, according to local reports.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS) Southeast Region on Saturday named Don Steven McDougal, 42, as a person of interest in the girl’s disappearance, and Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested him on Friday on unrelated charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.  Video footage obtained by FOX 26 shows McDougal in Livingston on Feb. 16 prior to his arrest.

Audrii’s mother, Cassie Matthews, told FOX 26 Houston that she believed McDougal was friends with Audrii’s father and would babysit the 11-year-old girl while he was staying at her father’s home.

Audrii has been missing since the morning of Feb. 15, when she was last seen at her residence in the 100 block of Lakeside Drive, in Polk County, Texas. 

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said a backpack likely belonging to Audrii was located near the Lake Livingston Dam on Feb. 16.

Audrii Cunningham was supposed to get on her school bus on Feb. 15 but never made it, authorities said. (Polk County sheriff)

“This investigation remains active and ongoing. If you have any information related to the disappe[arance] of 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham, contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office,” TDPS Southeast said in a Feb. 17 Facebook post.

Don Steven McDougal was convicted of enticement of a child in 2008. (Facebook)

Polk County officials described Audrii as a White female with blonde hair and blue eyes, weighing 75 lbs. and standing approximately 4 ft., 1 in. tall. She was last seen wearing black pants, a black hoodie with white letter and black high-tip shoes with a bright red “Hello Kitty” backpack.

Authorities are offering a $7,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in Audrii’s disappearance.