Texas Woman Captured After Nearly 30 Years on the Run

A Texas woman, Maria Nares, has been apprehended in Mexico after spending almost three decades fleeing from charges related to the death of her 3-year-old daughter. This story dates back to 1997, when she disappeared right before facing trial for capital murder.

The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office confirmed her arrest on Saturday, noting that it was the result of a coordinated effort among international law enforcement agencies.

Nares had been arrested in 1996 in connection with the death of her daughter, Cassandra L. White. Reports indicate that she caused the child’s death through violent means, including shaking and hitting her with an unknown object before throwing her against a wall, as detailed in records obtained by local news outlets.

Initially, when she was charged on December 4, 1996, her bail was set at $500,000 but was lowered to $25,000 the next day. Bail conditions included requirements like no interactions with minors, electronic monitoring, and regular drug testing.

A grand jury indicted Nares for murder in April 1997, and the prosecution expressed readiness for trial. Yet, by August of that year, her appointed curator informed the court that he lost contact with her, prompting a judge to issue a warrant for her arrest.

Subsequently, on October 7, 1997, bail was forfeited, and another arrest warrant was issued, annotated by hand to indicate it had not been executed. After fleeing, she remained a fugitive for nearly 30 years.

The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office had not abandoned their pursuit. They expressed determination to re-indict Nares and hold her accountable for her daughter’s tragic death, as highlighted in a recent social media post.

The District Attorney’s Office also credited various investigative bodies for their role in Nares’ capture, including Interpol and Mexico’s Federal Marshals Service. Nares is now set to be extradited back to Texas to face the murder charges against her.