Child's Remains Found in Location Where Missing Houston Girl's Stepfather Reportedly Said He Dumped Body

Houston police say authorities have found a child's remains near a location in Arkansas where the stepfather of missing 4-year-old Maleah Davis reportedly said he dumped the girl's body.Derion Vence, 26, reported Maleah missing earlier this month, saying that three men had kidnapped her May 4 when he stopped to check on a flat tire while he was driving to George Bush Intercontinental Airport the previous night. He said the men had hit him on the head, knocking him out, and that he had come to alongside a highway hours later.Although he said his car had been taken during the incident, surveillance footage showed someone using that car to drop him off at a hospital on May 4. Authorities found the car May 9, and a laundry basket and gas can were in the trunk.Days later, police charged Vence with evidence tampering, saying that blood evidence at his apartment had been linked to the missing girl. He was also seen carrying a full laundry basket out of the building, authorities said.On Friday, Houston activist Quanell X told authorities that Vence confessed to accidentally killing Maleah and said he had dumped her body in Arkansas, the Houston Chronicle reported.Authorities searching in Hempstead County, about 20 miles northeast of Texarkana, said that they found the remains of a child Friday in a black garbage bag. A crew cleaning up along Interstate 30 had discovered the bag two days earlier but left it alone.Police said a medical examiner would have to determine the identity of the remains.Vence remained in the Harris County jail Friday, with bail set at $45,000.  Continue reading...