'Baby Jessica' McClure is arrested for DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 39 years after her rescue from Texas well gripped the world

By EMMA RICHTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:17, 14 April 2026 | Updated: 15:28, 14 April 2026 A woman whose rescue from a well as a toddler was broadcast live across the world has been arrested for domestic violence. Jessica McClure Morales - better known as 'Baby Jessica'  -was charged with domestic family violence after an incident at her home in Midland, Texas, on Saturday night.  McClure Morales, 40, was taken into custody at the scene. She was charged with assault causing bodily injury involving family violence and later released on bond.  Further details about the incident have yet to emerge, with Midland County Sheriff's Office saying it may take up to 10 days to release McClure Morales's arrest affidavit, YourBasin.com first reported. In October 1987, 18-month-old 'Baby Jessica' fell 22 feet down an eight-inch wide well casing outside her aunt's home in Midland. The subsequent 58 hour rescue attempt was a global sensation and was broadcast live on the three biggest television networks - ABC, NBC and CBS. Then-President Ronald Reagan said: 'Everybody in America became godmothers and godfathers of Jessica while this was going on.'  Developing story, check back for updates...  Jessica McClure Morales - better known as 'Baby Jessica' has been arrested for a domestic violence incident at her home in Texas 'Baby Jessica' is pictured in 1989, two years after her rescue from a backyard well that gripped the world  'Baby Jessica' iseen moments after she was rescued from the eight foot well The rescue operation lasted 58 hours and gripped the United States. It was broadcast live on the three major networks  The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.