Maria Narez, a Texas woman suspected of the murder of her 3-year-old daughter, was apprehended in Mexico after evading capture for nearly three decades. Her arrest concluded a long-running search that began when she failed to appear for her trial on a capital murder charge in 1997.
The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Narez, now 48, was detained following a coordinated international law enforcement operation. In 1996, Narez had been arrested in Tarrant County linked to the death of her daughter, Kasandra L. White, aged three.
According to records from FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, Narez allegedly caused her daughter’s death by shaking her, hitting her with an unknown object, and throwing her against a wall. Her initial bail was set at $500,000 on December 4, 1996, but it was reduced to $25,000 the next day.
The conditions for Narez’s release included no contact with children under 17, electronic monitoring, and monthly drug tests. A grand jury indicted Narez for capital murder in April 1997, and prosecutors were prepared for trial.
By August 28, 1997, her bondsman reported losing contact with her, prompting a judge to issue an arrest warrant. Her bond was forfeited in October 1997, and another arrest warrant marked unexecuted remained in place.
Narez fled the United States and lived as a fugitive, avoiding law enforcement for almost 30 years. The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office has consistently pursued her return to face charges regarding the death of her daughter.
A collective effort by intergovernmental agencies, including Mexico Interpol, the U.S. Marshals Service’s Mexico Foreign Field Office, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, facilitated Narez’s capture.
Narez is anticipated to be extradited back to Texas to face the capital murder charge.
Greg Wehner reports for Fox News Digital, focusing on U.S. news and crime, particularly breaking stories and public safety issues affecting communities nationwide.