NC chief: 20 work on probe of girl’s rape, slaying

FAYETTEVILLE — A North Carolina police chief says about 20 people are working on the investigation of the rape and slaying of a 5-year-old girl.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Wednesday that the task force is tracing tips police receive about the death of Shaniya Davis two weeks ago.

Fayetteville Police Chief Tom Bergamine says investigators don’t yet know why the girl was withdrawn from school weeks before she died.

The girl’s mother is charged with human trafficking and felony child abuse involving prostitution. A Cumberland County Sheriff’s spokeswoman says Antoinette Davis has been moved to a women’s prison as a special health precaution because she is pregnant.

An acquaintance of Davis is charged with murder, rape and kidnapping.

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