HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — The mother of a man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend's 12-year-old son has been arrested, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
Alva Cornejo, 51, has been charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution, a felony, Gonzalez said. The sheriff said her son, Terry Bryan Rivera, 27, is still on the run.
Rivera has been charged with capital murder in the shooting death of 12-year-old Carlos Fernandez, according to Gonzalez. Earlier this week, the sheriff warned that anyone attempting to hide Rivera could also face charges.
"He's still on the run, he's still wanted for capital murder," he said Friday. "We're not going to rest until we find him."
During a visitation for Carlos held Sunday, the family told KHOU 11 News they're finding strength through the outpouring of love from those near and far.
"The prayers, the text messages, the phone calls, you guys keeping the story going, I mean, it's just a testament of a community coming together and a city coming together to be there and support, you know, us in this tragic time," said Carlos' uncle, Delfino Gonzales.
As the family prepares to lay the boy to rest, Gonzales can't help but reflect on the memories his nephew leaves behind.
"Just very humble, never complained, every time he was asked to do something he took care of it, he did it. He was a protector, he always looked after his sisters," he said. "He was just a great kid, a great kid, it really hurt," Gonzales said.
The family said Cornejo's arrest comes as no surprise.
"We expected it, you know, we know them, we expected it, but at the same time, like I said, we have to let the investigators do their job, we can't get involved. Especially right now, our primary focus is on my nephew," Gonzales said. "Let's keep this thing going until we get this guy off the streets."
The shooting happened Monday, March 4, around 3 a.m. at an apartment in the Cloverleaf area on Alderson Street near Freeport Street.
Carlos was sleeping in the living room and had gone to check on his two sisters when he heard noises coming from their bedroom. That's when Rivera shot and killed him, according to the sheriff's office. The sisters were not hurt.
Investigators said they were able to recover the grey pickup truck believed to be used by Rivera when the shooting happened.
Rivera should be considered armed and dangerous, according to Gonzalez.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the sheriff's office homicide unit or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). There is a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
A funeral service for Carlos will be held on Monday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Vazquez Funeral Home on Uvalde Road.