missing girl

Maleah Davis' father attacks suspect in his daughter's death during court hearing in Texas

Friday, January 10, 2020

Maleah Davis' father lunges at suspect in his daughter's death

Derion Vence, who was charged with tampering with evidence in connection with the death of Maleah Davis, was in family court when he was attacked by the little girl's biological dad.

HOUSTON, Texas -- The biological father of little Maleah Davis lunged after the man who was the last to see her alive.

Derion Vence, who was charged with tampering with evidence in connection with the death of Maleah Davis, was in family court Friday to sign away his parental rights to Maleah's half-brother, Courtland.

VIDEO: ABC13 caught up with Craig Davis moments after the incident

ABC13's Miya Shay attempted to speak with Maleah Davis' biological father, who attacked the suspect in his daughter's death during a hearing.

Before the court proceedings began, witnesses say Vence and Craig Davis, the father, exchanged either words or looks.

Remains found in Arkansas are those of Maleah Davis, however her cause of death is still pending.

Witnesses say Davis then jumped across several tables and attacked Vence who was handcuffed and sitting in the jury box of the court room.

Remains found in Arkansas those of 4-year-old Maleah Davis

Vence apparently did not want to press charges so no charges will be filed against Davis.

The body of Maleah Davis was found in Arkansas on May 31, 2019, after she had been missing for a month.

Vence is in jail, facing a charge of tampering with evidence, namely a corpse.

Vence was once engaged to Birttaney Bowens, the mother of Maleah.

Maleah was reported missing on May 4 by Vence, who was her primary caretaker while Bowens was out of town for a funeral.

According to investigators, Vence claimed that on May 3 he was attacked while stopping to check a tire while on his way to the Bush Intercontinental Airport to pick up Bowens. Maleah and Vence's 1-year-old son were with him.

He told police he was knocked unconscious by three Hispanic men, later regaining consciousness 24 hours later near First Colony Mall in Sugar Land, Texas. His son was with him but Maleah was not. He later entered a hospital in Sugar Land, where he told police that Maleah went missing.

From there, an exhaustive search across Harris, Fort Bend and Brazoria counties intensified in the weeks after the reported disappearance.

What we know about 4-year-old Maleah Davis' disappearance

In the middle of the search, investigators began disputing the details of Vence's story. Turning their attention to Vence and the apartment where Maleah lived in, authorities obtained surveillance video showing the girl with Vence in the week before her disappearance.

In addition, they found blood evidence in the apartment. Vence was arrested just a week after he first reported the girl missing.

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