HPD Chief Certain Maleah Davis Was Murdered

HOUSTON — Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said he believes Maleah Davis, who has been missing for three weeks, was murdered. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Acevedo said he is convinced Derion Vence, the ex-boyfriend of Maleah Davis’ mother, knows what happened to her and where the little girl’s body may be found.

“We really believe we have a little girl that’s been murdered. We believe that she’s out there somewhere, and we want to bring her home,” Acevedo said. “I could sit here and say we are going to find her alive, but I’d be lying to you.”

Acevedo said investigators were still following up on leads, but the evidence was indicating that Maleah Davis was dead. As a result, the focus was to bring her home for a proper burial and for the person responsible for her death to be held accountable.

"She deserves to be found. She deserves to be recovered, and she deserves a proper burial," he said. "We need people not to forget."

Acevedo said the story Vence told police at the hospital in Sugar Land about Maleah's disappearance

Maleah Davis, who was last seen alive on April 30, was in Vence’s care when the 4-year-old girl vanished.

Chief @artacevedo updates public on Maleah Davis case #hounews https://t.co/l19XdlEDNH
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) May 23, 2019

Vence, who was in a relationship with Maleah's mother, Brittany Bowens, was allegedly seen on video surveillance at the apartment complex on April 30 carrying a laundry basket with a plastic trash bag and a bottle of bleach.

Police later said they found blood evidence inside the apartment linked to the missing girl. Vence told police on May 4 that he was assaulted by three Hispanic men who kidnapped the little girl, and left him unconscious on the side of a busy roadway in Sugar Land.

Vence was arrested in Sugar Land on May 11 by investigators with the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitives Task Force. He has been in the Harris County Jail ever since and is charged with tampering with evidence.

“We strongly believe he knows where she’s at and if he wanted to tell us, he would,” Acevedo said. “When you spin a tale that he's spun; you could drive a big rig through it...that's a problem.”

Crime Stoppers has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Acevedo said the Houston Police Department would match that amount if an arrest is made.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS or HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.

RELATED STORIES:

• Maleah Davis' Mother Accuses Boyfriend Of Abusing Missing Girl
• Suspect In Maleah Davis Case Charged with Evidence Tampering
• The Maleah Davis Investigation: What Police Are Saying

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