Woman Allegedly Killed Mother Hours After Prosecutors Said There Was Lack Of Evidence In Previous Incident

A Texas woman allegedly broke into her mother's apartment and fatally stabbed her, hours after prosecutors said there was not enough evidence to charge the woman in a previous incident.

The suspect, 29-year-old Ericka Nicole McDonald from Houston, was eventually arrested on charges of murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and burglary with intent to commit a felony in the killing of her 51-year-old mother, Terri Mendoza. The woman also attacked her 63-year-old aunt who was at the residence Monday night, ABC 13 reported, citing detectives.

The Houston Police Department said the officers were called to Mendoza's apartment earlier that day after McDonald got into an altercation with both the women. The family members called police twice that day, once at 3 p.m. to report the altercation and about a half-hour later for a wellness check.

The officers who responded to the call wanted to arrest McDonald on charges of assault and child endangerment but did not do so as prosecutors said there was not enough evidence against her, according to the report.

Around six hours after the incident, McDonald reportedly broke into the apartment through the front window and stabbed the two women, police said. Both the victims were taken to a hospital but Mendoza was pronounced dead.

The aunt reportedly suffered six stab wounds during the altercation and had to undergo surgery. She is expected to recover, according to her family.

A witness told ABC 13 that McDonald was seen performing CPR on Mendoza moments after the stabbing.

Police said that although McDonald was wearing a mask during the attack, the aunt was still able to recognize her. She fled after the incident but later returned home claiming that she was not involved in the incident. McDonald was taken into custody from the scene and charged with murder, the Houston Police said in a news release Tuesday.

Police officers also recovered the knife believed to be used for the attack and McDonald's blood-stained clothes from her apartment.

"It’s alleged that the defendant was intoxicated and broke into the residence. These are familial members to the defendant. She broke in, stabbed both complainants, ultimately killing one of them,” an official said during the bond hearing Tuesday evening, Law& Crime reported.

The court has set McDonald's bond at $650,000.