Houston Man Indicted For Tampering With Maleah Davis Dead Body

HOUSTON, TX — A Harris County grand jury has indicted Derion Vence on felony evidence tampering charges, according to the Harris County District Attorney's Office. Vence, who is in the Harris County Jail, is accused of dumping the body of 4-year-old Maleah Davis on the side of an Arkansas highway in May.

Vence, who was the boyfriend of Davis' mother Brittney Bowens and a prime suspect in her disappearance, was arrested May 11 and charged with evidence tampering.

"Our work continues to seek justice for Maleah," Harris County DA Kim Ogg said.

The child's decomposing remains were recovered on May 31 along an Arkansas highway, hours after Vence reportedly revealed to a Houston community activist where he dumped her body.

The remains were returned to Houston that day, and the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences confirmed on June 3 that they were Maleah's remains.

After investigators positively identified the child's remains, a forensic pathologist revealed Davis died as a result of homicidal violence.

However, the DA's office said they are still waiting on a final autopsy report.

When prosecutors receive the final report from the medical examiner’s office, that evidence will be considered as part of any decision regarding possible additional charges, officials said.