Teen Accused of Murder Released After $200K Bail Payment

A smiling teenager accused of stabbing a mother of five to death in broad daylight was released from jail after posting $2 million bail.

Amaya 'Cookie' Diaz, 19, faced charges alongside her sister, Kitty Mia Diaz, 21, and their friend, Kyandra Renee Faz, 21. The trio is accused of murdering 32-year-old Caroline 'Caro' Peña on June 25. All three were taken into custody shortly after the attack in Del Rio.

Yet Cookie walked free from the Val Verde County Correctional Facility on Tuesday. Her older sister remains locked up behind bars.

The Val Verde County Sheriff's Office and Correctional Facility told the New York Post that the Diaz family paid $200,000 to secure the teen's release. That sum covered 10 percent of a standard bond amount. However, an El Amigo Bonding representative said details about the specific deal are confidential between the family who requested it.

The employee offered a chilling warning. 'We know that when someone gets killed, problems will happen. And it's already happening, so [the Diaz family] has to lie low,' he stated. He added, 'But we know that justice will prevail. Justice always prevails.'

Footage from the arrest shows Cookie smirking and giggling as officers led her in handcuffs to a police SUV. She wore different clothes than what was seen on the crime video footage. Police noted she had just showered because her hair was wet when taken into custody. Kitty and Amaya also took time for a shower before being cuffed, changing their outfits while speaking with authorities.

Amaya allegedly arrived at the scene wielding a knife in her right hand. Surveillance cameras at Faz's house captured the deadly confrontation on the 800 block of E. 10th Street. Carolina was seen arriving and exiting a black Dodge pickup truck. Shortly after, a black Chrysler 300 pulled up, and Amaya and Kitty exited to confront her.

The victim's uncle explained that everyone in this small town has connections. 'I knew one of their uncles,' he said. 'Their family, everyone has a connection, so it's even harder. I worked with (the uncle) 30 years. They were close to us.' He refused to speculate on motive but acknowledged the difficulty of the situation.

Kitty and Amaya have not yet entered pleas to murder or tampering with evidence charges. Faz pleaded not guilty. The attack happened in plain sight, leaving a community shaken by violence committed among neighbors who knew each other well.

The legal complaint paints a grim picture of violence that ended in death. It states Amaya and Carolina fought, with Amaya striking Carolina in the back where blood soaked her shirt. Kitty and Faz then allegedly joined the assault before all four women separated and left the scene.

Peña was rushed to a local hospital but required transfer to a facility in San Antonio because of how severe her wounds were. She died hours later, leaving behind five children ranging from three to 16 years old. Two of those kids are autistic and are now being cared for by relatives following their mother's death.

The legal process moves forward with specific dates set. Cookie's arraignment is scheduled for November 4 after she previously appeared in court to see her bond lowered from $5 million down to $2 million. Her sister also had her bail reduced but has not yet received a next court date. Faz faces a pre-trial hearing on December 11 and remains held on a $5.2 million bond.