Jessica McClure Morales, widely known as “Baby Jessica” following her 1987 rescue from a well in Texas, was arrested over the weekend on a domestic assault charge in Midland County, according to authorities, as reported [1] by the New York Post.
McClure Morales, now 40, was taken into custody Saturday night after a reported disturbance at her home.
Officials said the incident occurred at a residence where she is believed to live with her husband, Daniel Morales, and their two children. Details surrounding the alleged altercation have not been released.
‘Baby Jessica’ McClure is arrested for DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 39 years after her rescue from Texas well gripped the world https://t.co/XlARZjUf2d [2]
— Daily Mail US (@Daily_MailUS) April 14, 2026 [3]
She has been charged with assault causing bodily injury involving family violence. Records indicate that she was later released from custody after posting bond.
The arrest marks a new chapter for a figure who became internationally known nearly four decades ago during a dramatic rescue operation that captured global attention.
In October 1987, McClure Morales was just 18 months old when she fell into an abandoned well in Midland, Texas.
Authorities said she became trapped approximately 22 feet below ground, prompting a large-scale emergency response that lasted nearly 60 hours.
The rescue effort was broadcast live across television networks, drawing widespread attention as crews worked around the clock to reach the toddler.
Emergency responders ultimately drilled a parallel shaft through rock before creating a horizontal tunnel to access the well and bring her to safety.
During the rescue, officials reported hearing the child singing about Winnie the Pooh, a detail that was widely shared at the time as crews continued their efforts.
McClure Morales survived the ordeal but suffered significant injuries. She later lost a toe due to gangrene and underwent more than a dozen surgeries as part of her recovery.
Despite the scale of the incident and the attention it received, McClure Morales has said she has no memory of being trapped in the well.
The case became one of the most closely followed rescue efforts of its time, with emergency personnel and volunteers coordinating a complex operation under intense public scrutiny.
Authorities have not provided additional information about the recent incident that led to McClure Morales’ arrest, and it remains unclear whether further legal proceedings are expected beyond the charge that has already been filed.
Local officials have not indicated whether there were any injuries connected to the alleged domestic incident.
The investigation into the disturbance remains ongoing.