A joint international law enforcement effort has resulted in the capture of Maria Narez, a Texas woman accused of killing her 3-year-old daughter in 1996. Narez, now 48, was taken into custody in Mexico on Saturday, ending a nearly 30-year manhunt that began after she fled the U.S. before her trial could commence.
The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Narez’s arrest, stating she had been indicted on a capital murder charge in April 1997. Her capture follows a warrant issued in 1997 after she failed to appear in court, with authorities later noting her bond was forfeited in October of that year.
Charges and Allegations
Narez was initially arrested in Tarrant County in 1996 in connection with the death of her daughter, Kasandra L. White. According to records obtained by FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, allegations include that Narez fatally assaulted White by shaking her, striking her with an unidentified object, and throwing her against a wall. The child’s cause of death was not explicitly detailed in the records.
At the time of her 1996 arrest, Narez’s bail was set at $500,000, later reduced to $25,000 the following day. Court documents indicate her release conditions included no contact with children under 17, electronic monitoring, and monthly drug tests. However, by August 28, 1997, her bondsman reported being unable to reach her, leading to a judge issuing an arrest warrant. A subsequent warrant was issued on October 7, 1997, with a handwritten notation indicating it had not been executed.
International Cooperation and Capture
The U.S. Marshals Service played a key role in Narez’s capture, which occurred in Mexico after decades as a fugitive. Authorities did not disclose specific details about the operation or location of her arrest, but confirmed the collaboration between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement agencies.
Legal Proceedings and Aftermath
Narez’s case was set for trial in 1997, but her disappearance halted proceedings. The grand jury indictment on capital murder charges remained active, and her bond was forfeited following her failure to appear. The case has since remained open until her recent apprehension.
Background on the Alleged Crime
Kasandra L. White was 3 years old at the time of her death. The circumstances surrounding her death were described in court records as involving violent assault, though further details about the investigation or forensic findings were not publicly available in the cited sources. The case has been cited in true crime reporting, including features on programs such as America’s Most Wanted.
Authorities have not yet announced a timeline for extradition or further legal proceedings in the U.S.