Suspect in Maleah Davis' disappearance wouldn't let dad see her the day she went missing, dad says

Derion Vence lived in Houston with the missing 4-year-old's mother and was caring for the girl while her mother was out of town. He is now a suspect in her May 3 disappearance after telling authorities that Maleah disappeared after he, the young girl and his son were abducted by three men who knocked him unconscious.

Earlier that evening, Maleah's father, Craig Davis, and his sister went to the apartment where Maleah lived with Vence and her mother to check on the child, the station reported Davis saying at a Wednesday court hearing. The hearing was related to the custody of Maleah's brother, according to local media reports.

Vence would not let them in, saying that Maleah had the flu, Davis testified. Davis said Vence denied their request to look in on the girl as she slept in her bed, according to KTRK.

Vence told police he left about an hour later with his son and Maleah to pick up Maleah's mom from the airport, KTRK reported.

He initially told authorities that on their way, three Hispanic men knocked him unconscious and abducted the girl.

But surveillance footage shows that Maleah never left the apartment, court documents say, and blood found in the apartment is "consistent" with DNA taken from Maleah's toothbrush.

Vence also was seen on surveillance being dropped off by car at a hospital, the court documents say, contradicting his story that he walked there after the attack.

Vence was arrested earlier this month and booked into Harris County jail on suspicion of tampering with a human corpse, according to police. Court documents indicate a "substantial likelihood" Vence will be charged with murder. He was scheduled to appear in court May 13 but the hearing was moved to July 10, online records say.

Efforts to reach Vence's attorney have been unsuccessful.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo told reporters last week that he is not hopeful Maleah will be found alive.

"We really believe we have a little girl that has been murdered," Acevedo said. "We believe she's out there somewhere and we want to bring her home."

CNN's Nicole Williams, Steve Almasy and Jamiel Lynch contributed to this report.

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