Houston Woman Charged in Fatal Day Care Fire Returns to U.S.
March 21, 2011 — -- The Houston woman charged in a day care fire that killed four toddlers is back in the United States after being arrested in Nigeria.
Jessica Tata, 22, became one of the U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted Fugitives when she fled from Houston following a fatal fire at her home-based day care center Feb. 24.
Tata was captured in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, by Interpol and U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security agents, according to a statement from the U.S. Marshals.
"You cannot thumb your nose at the justice system, whether it be domestically or abroad," said Elizabeth Saenz, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Texas. "Justice will be served. Jessica Tata has learned this thanks to the global efforts of the many and unknown."
Agents following tips found Tata in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A $25,000 reward was offered for Tata's capture.
Port Harcourt is the capital of the oil-rich, but impoverished Niger Delta area where kidnap for ransom is common. A chance to make legal money and help out authorities was too good to pass up, a source familiar with the investigation told ABC News.
Tata faces four counts of manslaughter, six counts of reckless injury to a child, three counts of abandoning a child under 15 and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Toddlers Elizabeth Kajoh, Kendyll Stradford, Elias Castillo and Shomari Dickerson died in the fire at the west Houston home called Jackie's Child Care.
Prosecutors allege that Tata left the children alone in the house while she went shopping, and while she was gone, the fire broke out on a stove-top burner that had been left on. She told investigators she was in the bathroom when the fire started.
Tiffany Amber Dickerson, the mother of 3-year-old Shomari Dickerson and Makayla Dickerson, who is still recovering from severe burns, said she was glad Tata turned herself in.
"I'm very happy that her guilt finally came over her," Dickerson said on Saturday, adding that she cannot express what she'd like to say to Tata if she were able to speak with her today.
