A Texas woman accused of killing her 3-year-old daughter has been captured in Mexico after almost three decades as a fugitive. This concludes a long search that began when she vanished before her trial in 1997. The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office reported that 48-year-old Maria Narez was taken into custody on Saturday due to a coordinated international law enforcement effort.
Narez was initially arrested in Tarrant County in 1996 related to the death of her young daughter, Kasandra L. White. According to records obtained by FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, Narez allegedly killed White through fatal assault, involving shaking, striking with an unknown object, and throwing against a wall.
At the time of her arrest, her bail was set at $500,000 but was reduced to $25,000 the next day. Conditions for her release included no contact with minors under 17, electronic monitoring, and monthly drug tests. In April 1997, a grand jury indicted Narez on a capital murder charge, and prosecutors were prepared to proceed with the trial.
“Before the case could go to trial, Narez fled and has remained a fugitive for decades,” the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office stated.
U.S. Marshals assisted in Narez’s capture after she fled to Mexico. By August 28, 1997, she was untraceable, and her bondsman could not contact her. Consequently, a judge issued an arrest warrant. Her bond was forfeited on October 7, 1997, when another warrant was handwritten, noting it had not been executed.
For nearly 30 years, Narez evaded capture. However, the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office never ceased efforts to bring her back. The success of her capture involved collaboration among several agencies, including 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 local investigators.
Narez is set to be extradited to Texas to face charges. Her capture marks a significant development in a long-standing case. U.S. Marshals and the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office have yet to release comments regarding her extradition.