Angel Shaniya Davis

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

The Davis family made a positive identification..

Crime scene investigators removed the little girl’s body from the scene late Monday night. Detectives do not know if the child was killed in a different location than where the body was found.

Authorities are releasing few details about the findings or a cause of death.

The discovery wrapped up a search conducted by about 250 law enforcement officers and volunteers who used dogs, horses, and a helicopter to scour the woods after police got information about where to find the body.

Hundreds of people including Davis’ father, Bradley Lockhart, came together Monday night to honor the little girl.

“I ask you to give me and everyone who loved poor Shaniya – my little baby, my angel – the strength to continue on,” Lockhart told the crowd that gathered.

A makeshift memorial of toys, candles and flowers were left at the vigil off Murchison Road in Fayetteville in honor of Shaniya.

“I can’t imagine this happening to my grandchild to my daughter, it’s just sad so sad,” Fayetteville resident Renee Tillman said.

Volunteers also held a candlelight vigil for the girl on Walker Road near where her body was found earlier in the day.

“It’s not fair all the children to see violence right next to home and I hope she rest in peace and she’s away from this evil world,” volunteer Mary Belle Swann said.

“Like most people you have children or relatives that are young aged and you just want the best outcome. It’s unfortunate that ended like it did,” offered another volunteer Derrick Murchison.

“Davis’ half-sister, Cheyenne Lockhart, talked to CNN Monday. She recalled Shaniya as a precious child and is stunned by her sister’s death.

“She was just so loving, and caring,” Cheyenne said. “She was always happy and giggling. You would never think somebody would do that to her. She’s just the sweetest little girl.”

Cheyenne said he knows Shaniya’s mother and describes the woman as sweet. The teenager said she can’t imagine Antoinette doing the things she’s charged with doing.

Suspects in abduction arrested

Is Mario McNeill smirking?

Davis was last seen alive at a Comfort Suites hotel in Sanford last week – the same morning her mother reported her missing from her Fayetteville home.

Police say a surveillance video from the hotel showed the child with 29-year-old Mario McNeill.

The area where police found the body is about seven miles from the hotel.

McNeill turned himself in Thursday night and police say he confessed to taking the 5-year-old. However, McNeill’s attorney told reporters his client would plead not guilty.

Antoinette Davis

Antoinette Davis showed no emotion during a court appearance in Fayetteville Monday afternoon. District Court Judge Tal Baggett made sure she understood the charges against her.

“The State of North Carolina alleges that on or about the date of November 10, 2009, that you did get engaged in human trafficking with a child as the victim,” he told her. “The other charge of felony child abuse for prostitution is a class E felony. That is 98 months in prison. Do you understand that?”

Antoinette Davis’ aunt, Yvonne Mitchell, was in the courtroom. She and other family members don’t believe she is guilty of the charges. Mitchell said there were no signs Shaniya was in danger with her mother.

“I didn’t see any. Every time I seen her, the kids were happy. She seemed happy. If there was anything wrong, it was being hid very good because I didn’t notice it,” she said.

Davis and McNeill are facing several charges, but right now those charges do not include murder.

Investigators say they are still trying to piece the case together.

Chance said detectives have been working to find Shaniya 24-hours-a-day since she was reported missing and they were in shock at the news that a body had been discovered.

“You always hold out hope,” said Chance.

Meanwhile, a Facebook page was set up Monday for people to leave messages for the family and talk about the tragedy. Please show them your love and support.

“You are in a safe place Shaniya and no one is gonna hurt u anymore. GOD BLESS,” wrote Reva McPhaul.

See ABC affiliate WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham, NC for continuing coverage