Jessica McClure Morales, the woman who captivated the world as “Baby Jessica” during a high-profile 1987 well rescue, was arrested Saturday following a domestic disturbance at her Midland County home.
Morales, 40, faces a charge of assault causing bodily injury involving family violence, according to reports from ABC affiliate KMID and other regional outlets. Authorities took Morales into custody at the scene. She was later released from the Midland County Detention Center after posting bond.
While specific details regarding the altercation remain limited, the arrest follows a reported disturbance at the Morales residence. Midland County officials have not yet released the formal arrest affidavit; the department typically requires up to 10 days to make such documents public.
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The arrest marks a rare and somber headline for Morales, who has largely lived a private life in the decades following her childhood ordeal.
Morales became a household name in October 1987 when, at just 18 months old, she fell 22 feet down a narrow well casing in her aunt’s backyard. The grueling 58-hour rescue operation was broadcast live across the United States, drawing millions of viewers who watched as rescuers worked around the clock to reach her.
The successful extraction became a symbol of national hope and inspired the 1989 television movie, Everybody’s Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure.
In the years following the rescue, Morales remained in her native Texas. She married her husband, Danny, in 2006, and the couple shares two children and two grandchildren. In a 2017 interview with PEOPLE, Morales reflected on her history, stating that she viewed her survival as a “miracle” and credited her faith for her recovery.
The Midland County Sheriff’s Office has not provided further comment on the active investigation. This story will be updated as the arrest affidavit becomes available.
