HOUSTON – KPRC reporter Robert Arnold is traveling to Hope, Arkansas, where authorities are searching for Maleah Davis.
The missing girl’s stepfather reportedly told a community activist that the 4-year-old's body was dumped at the first Hope exit coming from Texarkana.
A garbage bag containing remains was found near the Arkansas search site Friday, but it's not clear if the remains are those of Maleah.
We are sharing updates from Arnold.
10 p.m.: Remains headed back to Houston
Remains found in Arkansas now heading back to Houston. Harris County ME will make positive ID to determine if this is Maleah Davis. I do want to thank Arkansas state police. After crime scene was dropped they were told to reopen the road, but kept it closed for another 20 minutes so we could all do our 10pm live shots safely.
VIDEO: Houstonian Jimmy Davis drives past Arkansas Maleah Davis investigation scene by chance
7 p.m.: Investigators provide updates
Hempstead County Sheriff James Singleton said the remains were found by a crew that was mowing the area. The bag that the remains were found in was struck by the mower, scattering evidence.
Singleton said clothing inside the bag led them to believe they found the remains of a small child.
Houston Police Department homicide detectives will fly the remains back to Houston on Friday night.
An HPD homicide sergeant said he didn't know what led Derion Vence to start talking. He said Vence may have a connection to Arkansas because he is from St. Louis and may have stopped there on his way to or from Missouri.
6:45 p.m.: Arnold makes it to Arkansas
Arnold made it to Hempstead County, Arkansas. He said he drove up U.S. 59 and when he got to Arkansas, he pulled over and found the investigation.
Several law enforcement officials were at the scene, including investigators with the Houston Police Department.
Posted by KPRC2 / Click2Houston on Friday, May 31, 2019
5 p.m.: Where KPRC will head to once they arrive in Arkansas
We are likely to arrive around 7 p.m. in Arkansas. We are going to be outside of Hope in Hempstead County. They are searching for Maleah 10 to 13 miles outside of the town limits.
The first thing we will do is talk to the Hempstead County sheriff and seek information on the latest developments. There are many other law enforcement agencies working with them, such as the Arkansas State Police.
3:30 p.m.: On the way to Hope, Arkansas
We are keeping tabs through law enforcement sources and partners on the developments in this case.
We know that Tim Miller, from Texas EquuSearch, was scheduled to land in Hope around 4:30 p.m. He chartered a private plane. Houston Police Department investigators joined him on the flight.
There are many messages coming out on Facebook from people in places across the country who are struggling with what has happened.