HOPE, Ark. - A ceremony dedicating the bridge over Interstate 30 at Exit 18 in Hempstead County, Arkansas, as the "Maleah Davis Memorial Bridge" will be Saturday, Nov. 9.
Signs have been purchased and will be installed and unveiled at 10 a.m. Nov. 9, said Hempstead County Sheriff James Singleton in a news release.
Maleah Davis, a 4-year-old from Houston, Texas, was reported missing in early May.
A massive search was started in Houston for Maleah and on May 31, Hempstead County Sheriff's office received information that Maleah's body was possibly dumped along Interstate 30 in Hempstead County.
A search by the Arkansas State Police, Hempstead County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas Game and Fish Enforcement Officers, Hope Police and the FBI was immediately undertaken.
The initial search was at exit 30 in Hope. As the search continued, officers received information from a contract road crew who were mowing in the area of the on ramp at exit 18. The crew reported they had discovered a black trash bag that was emitting a foul odor and had what looked like blood on it.
Investigators arrived and discovered the trash bag contained the remains of a small child. The remains were released to Houston homicide detectives who were also on scene after the discovery and were flown back to Houston to be examined to determine if these remains were that of Maleah.
On Monday, June 3, the Harris County, Texas, Medical Examiner identified the remains as Maleah Davis.
On June 4, Singleton requested a permit for a roadside sign from the Arkansas Transportation Department in Honor/Memory of Maleah Davis and other Missing and Exploited Children throughout the nation.
The Quorum Court of Hempstead County, Arkansas, voted unanimously to support the naming of the Red Lake Road Overpass at Exit 18 in Hempstead County, Arkansas in memory of Maleah.
On July 24, The Arkansas Highway Commission passed minute Order 2019-080 to allow the installation of one sign at each end of the overpass, as requested by the County.
Funds for the sign were donated by a citizen of Hempstead County who wishes to remain anonymous.
"As Sheriff of Hempstead County, I would like to invite all who would like to show support or participated in the search for Maleah, her family, the officers who had to work the scene and anyone who may want to let the world know that we the law enforcement officers of Hempstead County will never forget May 31, 2019, and will always think of Maleah as Our Little Angel," Singleton said in the news release.