Previous coverage of this story
Jessica Tata, a woman wanted after a day care center fire killed four small children, has surrendered.
It’s a day many of the victims’ families had hoped for — a chance to get justice. We first told you about the major development in the case here on abc13.com.
Tata’s brother told Eyewitness News she turned herself in at a consulate in Nigeria. Investigators believed she fled to that country shortly after the fire last month.
Tata is accused of leaving those kids home alone when that fire broke out. While details of her surrender are being kept under wraps, we know that her family may have convinced her to come out of hiding and turn herself in.
After more than 20 days on the run, Tata, one of the U.S. Marshal’s 15 most wanted fugitives, is said to be traveling with Nigerian officials to the capital of Portharcourt, where U.S. authorities will meet her.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has been following the search for her and says Tata’s surrender was voluntary.
“The U.S. embassy in Nigeria is well informed, is in control and in cooperation with the Nigerian government and in cooperation with law enforcement authorities here in the United States,” she said.
Also on STATter911 …
- Houston fire chief says mistakes were made that allowed owner to flee after day care center fire killed four children. Terry Garrison says Jessica Tata was treated as a victim. Raw video from press conference. – March 2, 2011
- Houston Fire Department & Harris County District Attorney at odds over daycare worker fleeing the country. HFD releases detailed timeline. – March 2, 2011
- Three children dead & four others hurt in Houston, Texas home day care fire. HFD brings out five this afternoon. – February 24, 2011
- Quick Takes: March 21, 2011. – March 21, 2011
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Thank God, now I hope that they have probloms getting her back to the states and not treat her lightly because she turned herself in. She need to do the max for crim. Four little lives were lost and four families lives have been changed forever because of her actions. Texas still up people to death ?????
I think that what she did was horrible but I also believe that she will be punished for the rest of her life.I feel in my heart that this is something that she will have to deal with and she will never be the same as those family members that lost there dear children.I dont think she meant to harm the children,but I bet this was not the first time she has had left them before. It just makes you think what kind of person has the desire to provide a service that is to keep our kids safe could be so careless.I also think she ran because she was scared.