Carlo Allegri/Reuters
The young daughter of missing Texas woman Andreen McDonald reportedly told a family friend she had seen “Daddy hurt Mommy” as police continue to search for the young mother's body. The San Antonio Express-News reports that Andreen's sister, Cindy Ann Johnson, said Andreen's 7-year-old daughter, who police have described as autistic and mostly nonverbal, saw an altercation between her mother and father, 40-year-old Air Force Major Andre McDonald. Andre McDonald has been named as a suspect in the case and faces evidence tampering charges for allegedly destroying receipts for a shovel and ax after his wife disappeared.
“She said, ‘Daddy hurt Mommy and Mommy was going like this,’” Johnson said, reportedly mimicking breathing difficulties. The business manager reportedly recorded the conversation and gave the recording to investigators. The newspaper also reports that a sheriff’s deputy came to Andreen's mother's home to interview the child, who was reportedly seen “jumping around and laughing” while watching cartoons. “She doesn’t really know what is happening,” said Hyacinth Smith, who is taking care of her granddaughter after her daughter's disappearance. On Monday, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar told reporters that it was “pretty evident” that Andreen's daughter saw something. “She saw what happened to her mom, and that’s the most heartbreaking part of this case,” he said.