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A mother’s run for the border
fails
Kidnapping charges follow
Monitor Staff Reports
TERRELL–A sad drama, which began in Kaufman County, came
to an end at the Texas-Mexico border town of Laredo – where a mother,
whose parental rights had been terminated, was taken into custody along
with her 26-month-old child.
The Kaufman County Patrol Division responded to a call late Dec. 20
regarding the kidnapping of the child from a home southeast of Terrell.
Within the hour, authorities learned the child had been taken by her
mother, who had lost her custodial rights.
They also learned the child had an asthmatic condition which required
treatment every four hours.
A few hours later, Kaufman Sheriff’s investigators suspected the child
and her mother were enroute to Laredo to cross the border into Mexico.
Immediately, the Sheriff’s Department communication division contacted
local bus service providers, and Terrell Police Services provided a
recent photo of the suspect.
By 6 a.m. the following morning, investigators confirmed the suspect and
child were enroute to the border to meet a friend, who offered
assistance in crossing the border.
Investigators projected a small window of time when they expected the
pair to arrive in Laredo.
With this information, the Sheriff’s Department began contacting local,
state and federal agencies by e-mail, fax and teletype with the
suspect’s photo and child’s description.
The Texas Department of Public Safety, Laredo Police Department, U.S.
Border Patrol and U.S. Customs were notified.
Nearly 12 hours after the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office responded to
the initial call, it got word from the Laredo Police Department of the
apprehension of the suspect and child.
The child was found to be uninjured.
The unidentified suspect is reportedly being held on two felony warrants
and is due to be transferred back to Kaufman County.
County burn ban is back
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
KAUFMAN–Heavy spring rains brought lush growth and now a couple of
freezes and little rain have turned the growth into tinder.
“The conditions are ripe for an extreme fire danger. Kaufman County fire
departments have answered 84 grass fire calls in December,” County Fire
Marshal Larry Ewing said.
Monday, county commissioners approved a 45-day ban on outdoor burning.
“This includes burn barrels, even with screens,” Ewing added.
Most of the fires occurred in the southern portion of the county,
especially in the Mabank and Kemp areas, he said.
“Following so many fire calls, six fire stations called and asked the
burn ban be implemented,” Ewing explained.
In other business, commissioners:
• approved a participation rate of 50 percent in the Terrell Tax
Increment Finance (TIF) project.
• approved the purchase of land for Precinct 3. Negotiations are
currently ongoing, purchasing agent Jack Sabastian said.
• approved an interlocal agrement with the North Central for the Cities
Readiness Initiative project.
“For 2½ years, the county has been getting ready for any type of
disaster, including getting massive doses of medicine out quickly,”
Public Works director Kathy Morris explained. A $20,000 grant helped to
begin the plan, she added.
“In one month we will get an additional $20,000, the final payment,” she
said.
• accepted the resignation of Jed Thompson from the board of the KC
Emergency Services District 3.
• appointed Gary Pearson to fill Thompson’s unexpired term.
• approved a contract for tire disposal with Tex-American Recycling
Incorporated.
As soon as deliveries of tire trailers to each precinct have been
completed, citizens (no businesses) will be allowed to bring old tires
for disposal, Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Deller said.
• approved an interlocal agreement with the city of Kemp for road
repairs with reimbursement for the cost of materials.
• paid bills totaling $389,464.60.
A Marine’s farewell
Monitor Photos/Barbara Gartman
 LEFT:
The Marine Corps honor guard from the 2nd battalion, 14th Marine
stationed at the Joint Reserve Armed Forces Complex in Grand Prairie
presented full military honors for Jack Wood, 90, of Kemp at his burial
Dec. 28, 2007. A 30-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Wood served
in World War II and in Korea. BELOW: The Marine bugler steps to his post
while the coffin is placed on the bier. Wood also served the Cedar Creek
Lake community as a Kemp mayor and several terms as councilman from the
’60s to mid ’80s. He helped craft the agreement with Tarrant Regional
Water District for the installation of the lake and oversaw several
public works projects.
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