Shaquille O'Neal So Moved by Shaniya Davis Murder, He Paid for 5-Year-Old's Funeral

By: Neil Katz
Topics: Daily Blotter

(Getty Images/Chris M. Gordon)

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (CBS/AP) Basketball star Shaquille O'Neal was so moved by the horrible fate of 5-year-old Shaniya Davis, who police say was kidnapped, raped, and murdered in rural North Carolina, that he paid for the little girl's funeral.

PICTURES: Shaniya Davis Found Dead
PICTURES: Shaniya Davis' Vigil

O'Neal's spokeswoman says the Cleveland Cavaliers player was touched by the stories and got in touch with the family to see what he could do to help.

(AP Photo)

Photo: Shaniya Davis.

More than 2,000 people attended the girl's funeral Sunday. Her body was found Nov. 16 beside a rural road amongst garbage bags and deer carcasses.

Her mother, Antoinette Davis, is charged with human trafficking and child abuse involving prostitution. Mario McNeill, an acquaintance of the girl's mother, is charged with murder, rape and kidnapping in the case.

McNeill was arrested days after police say he was seen on video surveillance carrying Shaniya Davis in a hotel in Sanford, N.C., about 30 miles from the girl's home and 40 miles from Raleigh. Shaniya Davis' body was found in Sanford.

According to North Carolina correction authorities, Antoinette Davis is pregnant with another child. She remains in custody.

O'Neal is recovering from a shoulder injury that has sidelined him for six straight games since getting hurt Nov. 12 against Miami.

PICTURES
PICTURES: Shaniya Davis Found Dead
PICTURES: Shaniya Davis' Vigil

VIDEO
VIDEO: WRAL - Funeral for Shaniya Davis
VIDEO: WRAL - Funeral held for slain Fayetteville girl

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
November 25, 2009 - Shaniya Davis Murder Case: 20 Investigators Still Working Details of North Carolina Tragedy
November 25, 2009 - Shaniya Davis Dad Defends Giving Girl to Mom Now Charged with Selling Her as Sex Slave
November 23, 2009 - Shaniya Davis Grandmother: My Daughter, Antoinette Davis, "Did Not Harm Her Kids"
November 23, 2009 - Shaniya Davis Funeral Video: Father Bradley Lockhart Said God "Did This for a Reason"
November 20, 2009 - The Shaniya Davis Story: Timeline of "Angel's" Last Days on Earth
November 18, 2009 - Shaniya Davis' Little Body Found Near Deer Carcasses in Trash
November 18, 2009 - Police: No New Charges for Shaniya Davis' Death ...For Now
November 18, 2009 - Shaniya Davis' Aunt Says Mother, Antoinette Davis, was "Neglectful" Before Child's Murder
November 17, 2009 - Shaniya Davis Vigil: Tearful Father Bradley Lockhart Prays, "She's Right There With You"
November 17, 2009 - Antoinette Davis, Mom Accused of Selling Shaniya Davis as Sex Slave, is Pregnant Again
November 17, 2009 - Shaniya Davis, Fallen "Angel" Remembered In Pictures
November 16, 2009 - Mario Andrette McNeill: Things May Get Much Worse for Man Charged With Kidnapping Shaniya Davis
November 16, 2009 - Shaniya Davis Found Dead; Mother Turned Little Girl Into Sex Slave, Say Police
November 16, 2009 - Bradley Lockhart, Shaniya Davis' Father, Pled For Girl's Return in Vain
November 16, 2009 - Shaniya Davis Found Dead; Mother Turned Little Girl Into Sex Slave, Say Police
November 16, 2009 - Shaniya Davis Not Found: Cops Fear Missing Child is Dead, Search Focuses on Body
November 16, 2009 - Shaniya Davis: Missing 5-Year-Old Seen in Horrifying Hotel Video
November 16, 2009 - Shaniya Davis Missing: Mother Arrested for Human Trafficking, Putting Daughter in "Sexual Servitude"
November 11, 2009 - 5-Year-Old Shaniya Davis Missing; Foul Play Suspected

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by sugahma November 30, 2009 12:32 PM EST: thank you Shaq for reaching out to this family in a time of need. It touched my heart when i read that you took time and money out to help this little girl be laid to rest that you didn't even know...May God bless you for your kindness...Rest in Peace baby Shaniya; Reply to this comment


by nurse89 November 30, 2009 12:01 PM EST: Thank you and may God richly bless you for the blessing of love you gave this little girl,it really touched my heart when -I read that you paid for her -funeral, for someone you didn't even know. I know she's in heaven smiling down on you..; Reply to this comment


by ninamom November 30, 2009 9:27 AM EST: Thank you, Shaq - for stepping up to the plate for this Beautiful Little Angel after everyone around her abused her then threw her away.; Reply to this comment


by super_dolly November 28, 2009 2:47 AM EST: Just one more reason to love Shaq. He does a lot of these types of things for people and i love him for it. Shaniya was a beautiful little girl (I know people always say that in these situations, but she really was). Her mother, if the allegations are true, is a monster. I feel so badly for the rest of Shaniyas family who clearly loved her very much. Shaq, you're a wonderful guy. God Bless everyone involved in this sad, sad story.; Reply to this comment


by ddog88 November 27, 2009 7:08 PM EST: Maybe this will start a trend for our wounded county. What a decent thing to do for a tragic event. Shaq has shown himself to be a kind person. Good job!; Reply to this comment


by MS-RLMC November 27, 2009 4:48 PM EST: Thanks Shaq for helping out this beautiful little girl that touched all of our hearts and left this world way too soon under such pathetic circumstances!!! No one deserves to die like Shaniya!!! However Shaniya was very deserving of the beautiful service that you provided for her... Thanks for continuing to be the role model that you are!!!!God Bless You and Your family and May Shaniya Rest In Peace. MS-RLMC in Denver....; Reply to this comment


by fuji79 November 27, 2009 4:09 PM EST: finally, a highly paid athlete who thought of someone other than himself. a sign that shaguille o'neal may have become a man worthy of praise. good job, mr. o'neal. at a time, when mr. lockhart's world had crumbled and shattered, you stepped in as a man and a father and provided what you felt was right. i commend you ... i did not hear of any those other highly and overly paid athletes stepping up to the plate or offering a hand or a word of comfort. a beautiful little baby who should have lived, grew and brought joy to a world of people is no more but she is in heaven sitting in God's lap. may she smile that beautiful smile always ... mr. lockhart, go in peace, sir. go in peace and God be with you.
mr. o'neal, go in peace and God be with you as well.; Reply to this comment

by pamcrgc November 27, 2009 3:20 PM EST

If Shaq paid for the funeral, then what's the bank fund for? Another BMW?

Reply to this comment


by fuji79 November 27, 2009 4:12 PM EST: A foundation was started in the name of Shaniya Davis using the donations ... perhaps you should purchase a bmw and donate it to the Shaniya Davis Foundation just to provide you are not the idiot you appear to be. Blessings


by spicypink November 27, 2009 6:03 PM EST: Is there really a Shaniya Davis Foundation? I've been looking for it?


by jessrossg November 27, 2009 1:47 PM EST: I thought that was very kind of Shaquille O'Neal to pay for Shaniya's funeral services. I just wish MORE people would get involved with protecting our children. Our government needs to do more, these agencies that are in charge of the well being of children is not enough. My sister worked for child protective services and they're always short staffed and the employees are over burdened with cases. I know it should be the parent's responsibility to care for and protect their children but the harsh reality is their are so many neglected children with deadbeat parents. The government should sterilize these drug addict mothers, they don't deserve to have babies. Rest in piece baby Shaniya and thank you for being a good man Shaquille.; Reply to this comment

by 2012EOD November 27, 2009 11:32 AM EST

You are a good man Shaq. I wish Rev. Al and Jessie would be so kind.

Reply to this comment


by fuji79 November 27, 2009 4:15 PM EST: Reverends Al and Jessie were not going to get enough publicity .... for them, kindness has nothing to do with media attention focused solely on them