A Texas mother accused in the death of her 3-year-old daughter has been found in Mexico nearly three decades after authorities say she vanished ahead of trial on a capital murder charge in 1997.
Maria Narez, 48, was arrested Saturday after an international law enforcement operation, according to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office.
Narez was first taken into custody in Tarrant County in 1996 following the death of her young daughter, Kasandra L. White.
Court records obtained by FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth allege that Narez caused the child’s fatal injuries by shaking her, hitting her with an unknown object and throwing her into a wall.
Maria Narez was arrested in Mexico after authorities say she fled Texas nearly 30 years ago while facing charges in her 3-year-old daughter’s killing. (Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office)
When the criminal complaint was filed on Dec. 4, 1996, Narez’s bond was set at $500,000, but it was lowered to $25,000 just one day later.
Under the terms of her release, bond documents show Narez was ordered to avoid contact with anyone younger than 17, wear an electronic monitor and submit to monthly drug testing.
In April 1997, a grand jury returned a capital murder indictment against Narez, and prosecutors said they were prepared to move forward with the trial.
U.S. Marshals were involved in the capture of Maria Narez, who fled to Mexico nearly 30 years ago after being charged with killing her 3-year-old daughter. (Getty Images)
But by Aug. 28, 1997, Narez’s bondsman told the court he could not reach her and did not know where she was. A judge issued a warrant for her arrest that day.
The docket later notes Narez’s bond was forfeited on Oct. 7, 1997, and another warrant was issued — with a handwritten notation indicating it had not been executed.
Court records show a judge lowered Maria Narez’s bail from $500,000 to $25,000 before she stopped responding and fled to Mexico. (iStock)
Narez later fled the country and remained a fugitive for nearly three decades, authorities said.
“Before the case could go to trial, Narez fled and has remained a fugitive for decades,” the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office said in a social media post. “The DA’s office never gave up on bringing Narez back to face the charge against her and answer for the death of her daughter.”
The district attorney’s office credited Mexico Interpol, the U.S. Marshals Service’s Mexico Foreign Field Office, the Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and its own investigators for their roles in Narez’s capture.
News Outlet has reached out to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office and U.S. Marshals Service for comment.
Narez is expected to be extradited to Texas to face the capital murder charge.
