Jessica McClure Morales, widely known as “Baby Jessica” following her dramatic 1987 rescue in Texas, shared a message on social media days after her arrest in a domestic assault case in Midland County, as reported by Fox News.
Morales, now 40, posted a statement on Facebook Monday after she was taken into custody over the weekend and later released on bond. Her post referenced “letting go” and included a series of personal reflections.
"Note to self: Happiness is letting go of what you assume your life is supposed to be like right now, and sincerely appreciating it for everything that it is," Morales wrote.
"So, relax. Reset. You are enough. You have enough. You do enough. Breathe deep. Let go, and just live right now."
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According to reports citing arrest records, Morales was taken into custody Saturday night at her home in Midland County by the Midland County Sheriff’s Office. She was charged with assault causing bodily injury involving family violence.
Authorities said Morales was booked into the Midland County Detention Center and later released after posting bond.
Additional details about the alleged incident were not immediately available, and the sheriff’s office did not provide further comment.
'Baby Jessica' McClure is arrested for DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 39 years after her rescue from Texas well gripped the world https://t.co/XlARZjUf2d
— Daily Mail US (@Daily_MailUS) April 14, 2026
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Morales rose to national and international attention as an infant after falling into a narrow well in Midland, Texas, in October 1987.
At just 18 months old, she fell approximately 22 feet into an eight-inch diameter pipe located in her aunt’s backyard.
The rescue effort drew widespread media coverage as emergency crews worked for nearly 60 hours to reach her. Responders drilled a parallel shaft and then created a horizontal tunnel through rock to access her location.
When Morales was finally brought to the surface, she had visible injuries, including a bandaged head, bruises, and dirt covering her body.
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The rescue became one of the most closely followed news events of the decade.
38 years ago, an 18 month old girl fell 22 feet into an 8 inch wide abandoned well in Midland, Texas.
For 58 hours, Baby Jessica McClure was trapped underground without food or water while rescuers drilled a parallel shaft through solid rock to reach her. A microphone lowered… pic.twitter.com/MIV96ld0Xg
— Dr. Lemma (@DoctorLemma) February 20, 2026
A 1997 poll conducted by The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press later found that, aside from the death of Princess Diana, Morales’ rescue was among the most widely covered global events during that period.
Family members later recalled the scale of attention surrounding the incident. Morales’ father, Chip McClure, said he was “absolutely floored” by the level of media coverage when the family arrived at the hospital following her rescue.
Public figures also took notice at the time. Then-Vice President George Bush and his wife Barbara, who had ties to Midland, visited Morales after the rescue. President Ronald Reagan also placed a call to the family.
Morales has since lived largely out of the public spotlight but occasionally draws attention due to her connection to the highly publicized rescue.
Her recent arrest and subsequent social media post have renewed public interest, though authorities have not released further information regarding the circumstances of the alleged domestic incident.
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