A Texas teenager accused of fatally stabbing a mother of five has been released from jail after her family posted $200,000 to secure a 2 million dollar bond.
Amaya ‘Cookie’ Diaz, 19, is accused of killing 32-year-old Caroline ‘Caro’ Peña in Del Rio on June 25. Her sister, Kitty Mia Diaz, 21, and Kyandra Renee Faz, 21, are also charged in connection with the death.
Amaya was released from the Val Verde County Correctional Facility on Tuesday. Her older sister remains in custody, while Faz is being held on a 5.2 million dollar bond.
The three women were arrested on the day of the killing. The Diaz sisters face murder and tampering with evidence charges, while Faz has pleaded not guilty.
A representative of El Amigo Bonding said the specific arrangements surrounding the bond were confidential. Bail bond companies typically charge about 10 per cent of the total bond, according to the information provided by the facility and sheriff’s office.
“We know that when someone gets killed, problems will happen. And it’s already happening, so [the Diaz family] has to lie low,” the representative said.
“But we know that justice will prevail. Justice always prevails,” he added.
Police allege that Amaya was carrying a knife when she confronted Peña outside a house on East 10th Street. Investigators said security camera footage captured the confrontation.
According to the criminal complaint, Peña arrived at the property before a black Chrysler 300 pulled up. Amaya and Kitty allegedly got out and approached her, with Amaya carrying an object believed to be a knife.
The complaint alleges that Amaya struck Peña in the back, causing blood to appear on her clothing, before Kitty and Faz joined the assault. The women then separated and left, investigators said.
Peña was taken to a local hospital and later transferred to a hospital in San Antonio because of the seriousness of her injuries. She died hours later, leaving five children aged between three and 16.
Two of her children are autistic and are being cared for by relatives, according to the material provided.
Police said Kitty and Amaya had showered and changed their clothes before they were arrested. Footage of the arrests showed the suspects in different clothing, with Amaya smiling and smirking as she was led to a police vehicle.
Peña’s uncle said the women knew each other, describing Del Rio as a small town where families often have connections. He said he had worked with one of their uncles for 30 years.
Amaya’s bond was previously reduced from 5 million dollars to 2 million dollars. Her arraignment is scheduled for November 4, while Faz is due to attend a pre-trial hearing on December 11.
