Texas Artist Sculpts Child Who Captured Houston's Heart

CYPRESS, TX — A local artist who was personally touched by the disappearance and death of 4-year-old Maleah Davis in June has found a way to ensure she is always remembered.

Like a lot of other artists, sculptor Shirley Scarpetta works straight from her heart and pours every ounce of emotion into her work, which ensures she captures the image and the spirit of her subject.

She has sculpted a number of statues, busts, and other images, but there was something about the case of Maleah Davis that grabbed her, and so many more in Houston.

"There was just this compelling feeling that I needed to sculpt her," Scarpetta told Patch. "Every time I would see this story, she just would not get out of my head."

The story of Maleah Davis, which captivated the City of Houston for weeks, began for many Houstonians on May 4 when she was initially reported missing by Derion Vence, who was dating Maleah’s mother and was the last person to see the child alive.

A week later, Vence who claimed Maleah was kidnapped by 3 men who knocked him unconscious and dumped him on the side of State Highway 6 in Sugar Land, was arrested and charged with evidence tampering when police discovered the child’s blood in his apartment.

Police searched areas of Houston from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in north Houston, to Brazoria County, 40 miles to the south.

On May 31, investigators in Arkansas found a black trash bag containing human remains on the side of an interstate that would later be confirmed to be those of the missing child.

“It’s horrific that this little girl had no chance," Scarpetta said.

She got to work after a private benefactor who shared her passion for creating this monument, came forward to fund the project.

Scarpetta said this work goes beyond a single child and is a reminder that too many children are being killed, often by a parent or relative, she says.

"She should not be forgotten, and she should remind everyone to love their children," Scarpetta said. "She represents them all."

Scarpetta said she is hoping the statue can be displayed at a public building in Houston. She is hoping that Mayor Sylvester Turner can meet with her and help her find a suitable place for Houstonians to see the statue.

"I want this to be a voice...a constant discussion of why we are so angry and why children are being murdered by their own flesh and blood," she said. "My hope is that whoever sees this statute will be reminded."

READ ALSO:

• Texas Amber Alert: Abducted 5-Year-Old Last Seen In Sugar Land
• Where's Maleah? Houston Police Continue Search For Missing Girl
• Finding Maleah: Police Look Near Stepdad's Home For Missing Girl
• HPD Chief Certain Maleah Davis Was Murdered
• Coroner Identifies Remains Of Maleah Davis: Police
• Police Find Remains Believed To Be Maleah Davis In Arkansas
• Maleah Davis Died By Homicidal Violence, Coroner's Report Says

Send your news tips and story ideas to bryan.kirk@patch.com