News from the Lone Star State

[TexasStooge]

Man facing charges after squad car rammed

By HOLLY YAN / The Dallas Morning News

LAKE HIGHLANDS, Texas - A man was arrested after fleeing police and ramming his car into a squad car in Lake Highlands early Tuesday morning.

Police said Robert Earl Johnson, 25, was stopped on Greenville Avenue near Pineland Road and sped off when he saw a police officer approach. A chase ensued, and the driver struck the officer's car on the front left side, Dallas police Lt. Andy Paris said.

Both cars hit a pole, but no one was seriously injured.

Officers arrested Mr. Johnson after he was struck with a Taser stun gun. He faces a charge of evading arrest and aggravated assault with a motor vehicle.

A passenger ran about 100 yards toward a nearby creek bottom but fell over a 20-foot culvert, injuring both arms. Two other passengers fled and are at large.

It was unclear why the driver tried to evade police.

[TexasStooge]

Arson cause of fire leaving 21 homeless

By CYNTHIA VEGA / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - Almost two dozen tenants were left homeless early Wednesday when a three-alarm fire swept through an apartment complex in southeast Dallas.

Dallas Fire Department told WFAA-TV that they think the cause of the fire is arson.

No one was hurt in the fire that broke out about 4:30 a.m. at the Oasis Apartments in the 3000 block of East Ledbetter Drive, but thick smoke made escape difficult for some residents.

Willie Epps said she was grateful to two neighbors for saving her life. "They broke my window glass and got me out the window," she said. I was trying to go out the front door when they woke me up but there was so much smoke."

At least six apartments were damaged or destroyed in the fire. Twenty-one residents—including a baby and a toddler—were looking for a new place to live.


WFAA ABC 8
Smoke and fire damaged at least six units.

[TexasStooge]

Fire at historic restaurant investigated

By BRANDON FORMBY / The Dallas Morning News

LAKE DALLAS, Texas - The Denton County fire marshal’s office is investigating a small fire that damaged a structure at the county’s longest operating restaurant.

Fire officials said the early Wednesday morning blaze caused about $8,000 to $10,000 damage to a building at The Duck Inn, which has been a staple in the lakeside community for more than six decades.

The 2,500-foot structure, which sits behind the restaurant itself, houses two walk-in freezers, a storage area and the kitchen where the eatery’s famous hush puppies are made.

While owner Greg Tierney said he’ll definitely repair the structure, he’s not sure when the restaurant will be able to roll out more of their homemade hush puppies. The fried catfish, however, will still be available.

[TexasStooge]

Man kidnapped in Northwest Dallas

By HOLLY YAN / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS, Texas - A 24-year-old man was kidnapped from outside an acquaintance’s home in the 3100 block of Chapel Creek Drive Wednesday morning.

Police said the man, whose name has not been released, was kidnapped by two men at gunpoint about 6:30 a.m. Dallas police Lt. Victor Woodberry said the kidnapping may have involved a drug debt.

Both suspects were described to be about 25 years old. One is approximately 5 feet, 2 inches tall and 140 pounds, while the other is about 5 feet, 1 inch tall and 145 pounds, and was wearing a green and white striped shirt and blue jeans.

Police believe the kidnappers fled in a white Dodge Durango with chrome wheels and a North Carolina license plate. Anyone with information can call 214-671-3584.

[TexasStooge]

Man to be executed for Harlingen slayings

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (DallasNews.com/AP) - A prison gang member headed to the Texas death chamber Wednesday for the drug-related slayings of a Harlingen couple nearly 11 years ago.

Jesus Ledesma Aguilar would be the 10th prisoner put to death this year in Texas and the third of three this month in the nation's busiest capital punishment state.

Aguilar, along with his nephew, Christopher Quiroz, were convicted in separate trials for the June 10, 1995, execution-style shooting deaths of Leonardo Chavez Sr., 33, and his wife, Annette, 31. Aguilar was sentenced to death while Quiroz got life in prison.

The condemned inmate's attorneys have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block his execution, claiming he was not given a chance to challenge information used at his trial from an alleged accomplice.

While Aguilar, 42, has admitted he smuggled marijuana from South Texas to Mississippi, he denied murdering his ex-partner's sister and her husband because of a drug dispute.

"I had nothing to do with this. I was at home" at the time of the killings, he said in a recent interview on death row. "These people, they railroaded me left and right."

But Aguilar was unaware that the 9-year-old son of the victims watched from underneath a kitchen table as his parents were shot. Leonardo Chavez Jr. testified at the trials of both Aguilar and Quiroz that he saw the men kill his parents. His younger brother was asleep in another room.

According to court records, Aguilar and Annette Chavez's brother, Rick Esparza, were friends who started smuggling marijuana in November 1994 from their homes in South Texas to Mississippi. After Esparza began smuggling drugs for another supplier, Aguilar threatened to kill him if he didn't stop.

While Esparza and his wife delivered a load of drugs to Mississippi in June 1995, his sister and her family agreed to stay and watch his Harlingen-area mobile home.

Aguilar and his nephew spent most of the afternoon and evening of June 9, 1995, drinking. They then went to Esparza's mobile home early the next morning and killed the Chavezes, prosecutors said.

Authorities said Aguilar was a member of the prison gang the Texas Syndicate, and had a violent history, including wounding a Lubbock County police officer during a 1983 shooting and assaulting guards and other inmates while in the state prison system.

At the trials, the Chavez son, now 20, told jurors he was awakened at 5 a.m. by a loud noise. He went into the kitchen and saw his parents on the floor. His father was holding a napkin to his bleeding nose. He then watched as his parents were shot in the head.

"I know it affects him still," said Nicolas Chavez Jr., brother of the victim. "He tries to see life in a positive way and tries to keep going."

Aguilar, however, said Leonardo Chavez Jr. was "coached" to say he saw the condemned inmate and his nephew kill the Chavez couple.

"They're killing me for something they know they lied about," he said.

Nicolas Chavez, 52, a retired Texas prison system guard who plans on attending the execution, said Aguilar's death will be peaceful compared to what his brother and sister-in-law experienced.

"He's not going to suffer. He is not going to feel anything like the way my brother and sister-in-law did," he said.

[TexasStooge]

A 'Times Square' planned for Dallas

By JEFF BRADY / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - Now under construction - a pedestrian oasis in downtown Dallas.

Victory Plaza will be bordered by two five-story buildings with high-end retail on the ground floor.

Modern cigar and sushi bars, a steakhouse and a European coffee lounge, plus WFAA studios, and an outdoor media venue unlike any other.

Eleven giant high-definition screens - eight of which will move side-to-side playing NBA games, movie trailers, newscasts and more.

The concept - Times Square in the heart of Dallas.

"I think this is pretty unique. I mean, I've been in most major cities in the country, and I've never seen anything quite like this," said Ron Rentfrow, project manager.

The bigger picture - all of Victory Park - 12 million square feet under development - with 4,000 residences - to create a unique urban lifestyle.

"Spent a lot of time looking at the ground floor, how to get the energy there. We engaged architects out of Boston and New York who understand the pedestrian experience," said Ken Reese, Hillwood executive vice president.

The price tag for developers - about $3 billion.

It's an impressive plan, especially considering the fact that these 75 acres in the past have housed everything from power, recycling and rendering plants to a grain silo and a paint factory.

All now converted to a master-planned urban center, anchored by the A-A-C, and designed to redefine downtown Dallas.

[TexasStooge]

Man shot while talking to 911 operator

By PAUL MEYER / The Dallas Morning News

ROCKWALL, Texas - A 55-year-old Rockwall man was shot inside his condominium late Wednesday night while he was talking on the phone with a 911 operator.

Police said the victim called for help around 10 p.m. after a 47-year-old man showed up at his door with what the caller described as a semiautomatic weapon with a knife attached to the end. During the 911 call, the intruder opened fire, striking the victim in the arm. The shooter was later taken into custody by police at the scene in the 1200 block of Signal Ridge Pl. near Lake Ray Hubbard. Police also recovered the weapon.

The victim was transported to the hospital with what were believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

"We haven't had anything like this in quite some time," police Lt. Carl Alsabrook said.

Lt. Alsabrook said the suspect, whose name was not immediately released, was being interrogated early this morning as police tried to determine a motive. Charges were expected to be filed.

[TexasStooge]

Dallas deputy talks about surviving gun wound

By MARY ANN RAZZUK / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - A Dallas deputy constable that was shot in the stomach while working off duty at a club in March said dying was not what he was thinking about as he struggled to survive.

While working the night security job, Art Lizcano asked a man to move his truck that was blocking an exit.

"Before I could get a couple of sentences out it was on," he said. "I actually saw the muzzle flashes."

He said he heard four gunshots and one was pointed at his head and missed. However, he said another shot that did hit him felt like a raging fire.

Lizcano said all he could think of was his family.

"I'm thinking about my wife and kids," he said. "I'm thinking about the phone call she's going to get."

Lizcano said he will never forget the look of shattered innocence in his son's eyes.

"I get a knot in my throat and try to swallow seeing him hurt like that," Lizcano said. "I mean, that's the worst thing. I wouldn't want my kids hurt in any way."

The Dallas Deputy Constable said he didn't know how to explain to his 8-year-son why a man would shoot him because he didn't understand himself.

He said the incident was also hard on himself.

"It's hard to talk about," he said. "I think it's just, it's just, how quick you can die."

But Lizcano said a strong foundation of family and faith helped him heal physically and emotionally.

"I believe I'm alive because of my faith, and because of my faith, I think I'll be alright," he said.

Lizcano started back on his job after surviving a gunshot wound to the stomach.

Dallas Constables said 27-year-old Flavio Sarinana was arrested and charged with attempted capital murder.

[TexasStooge]

Three dead in Arlington, Dallas wrecks

DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Alcohol use may have been a factor in two separate accidents overnight that ended with the deaths of three motorists.

Just after 10 p.m. Wednesday, four cars were involved in a crash at the intersection of South Cooper Street and California Lane in Arlington.

Arlington police spokesman Sgt. Chad Gann said two women were killed when a southbound pickup truck crossed into oncoming traffic, striking three other vehicles.

Two other people were hospitalized. The names of the victims were not available.

Sgt. Gann said the driver of the pickup truck fled the scene but was later taken into custody. Charges were pending. Police did not rule out the possibility that the unnamed driver may have been inebriated.

In Dallas, a woman was killed just after 2 a.m. Thursday when her car was rear-ended by a pickup truck on South Buckner Blvd. at Chariot Drive.

The crash impact propelled the car the length of two football fields and sent the vehicle's fuel tank into the back seat.

The driver of the car was dead at the scene.

Police requested a breathalyzer exam for the driver of the pickup truck.

No names were available.

WFAA-TV reporter Don Wall and photojournalist Robert Flagg in Dallas and photojournalist Mike Zukerman in Arlington contributed to this report.

[TexasStooge]

Fort Worth teen, 13, dies in shooting

FORT WORTH, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Police are investigating the shooting death of a 13-year-old boy in east Fort Worth Wednesday night.

Sammy Stevenson was outside a convenience store near the Cherry Hill Apartments in the 5900 block of Callaston Lane near Oakland Hills Drive around 9 p.m. when he walked between two rival groups of individuals, Fort Worth police Lt. Dean Sullivan said.

Sammy was struck once in the head by a bullet from a handgun. He was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital, where he died around midnight, Lt. Sullivan said.

“He does not appear to be the intended target, but we don't know if he had any affiliations with any of the parties involved,” he said.

He said investigators believe at least two suspects were members of a local gang.

[TexasStooge]

Man charged after 2 die in Arlington wreck

ARLINGTON, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - An Arlington man faces multiple charges after his pickup collided with two vehicles Wednesday night, killing two people.

The wreck occurred around 10:15 p.m. in the 2900 block of South Cooper Street near California Lane in Arlington.

A truck allegedly driven by Patrick McDeavitt, 39, crossed from the southbound lanes into the northbound lanes of South Cooper Street, striking a Toyota Camry and a Toyota Sienna van. A Hyundai Accent was unable to avoid the collision and struck the van, police said.

The driver of the Camry, Adrian Cruz, 26, of Garland, and passenger Silvi Reyes, 27 of Coppell, were killed, according to police reports. Another passenger, 22-year-old Maria Cruz of Mesquite, was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital and treated for her injuries.

Other people injured in the accident included Garland resident Diadem Diesto, 21, a passenger in the van who was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital, and 26-year-old Keunsik Lee of Arlington, who was driving the Hyundai and was transported to Methodist Dallas Medical Center.

After the collision, Mr. McDeavitt fled from the scene on foot but was apprehended by police and arrested, according to police reports. He faces two counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault, and remained in custody Thursday morning at the Arlington jail. No bond has been set.

These deaths are Arlington's 15th and 16th traffic fatalities in 2006.

[TexasStooge]

Crash ends police chase; 3 hurt

By JIM DOUGLAS / WFAA ABC 8

FORT WORTH, Texas — Three people were injured Thursday afternoon when a police pursuit ended in a crash.

Fort Worth police said the driver of a sport utility vehicle refused to pull over after an officer attempted to stop him for speeding on Interstate 30.

The chase ended at East Lancaster Ave. near Cooks Lane when the SUV failed to negotiate a turn, struck a guardrail, flipped in the air and rolled over.

Police said two young women were ejected by the impact. They were hospitalized in very serious condition.

The man who was driving the car was less seriously hurt and was taken to the hospital for treatment under police guard.

Police said the driver did have outstanding arrest warrants.

Investigators scoured the area surrounding the crumpled SUV for evidence that might help explain why the driver fled from police.

[TexasStooge]

Teen bystander fatally shot in gang violence

By JIM DOUGLAS / WFAA ABC 8

FORT WORTH, Texas - Police said a 13-year-old boy was fatally shot in the head when gang violence broke out Wednesday night outside the Cherry Hill Apartments in the 5900 block of Callaston.

Sammie Stevenson Junior walked through two groups of gang members when police said two shots were fired. One of the shots went into the air and the other was aimed at a rival gang member.

However, police said the second bullet hit the boy, who later died from his wound at a hospital.

Stevenson was at least the fifth innocent victim hit by gang bullets in Fort Worth in recent days, and he was the second to die.

Thursday afternoon, police arrested 24 -year-old Brandon Lee Moore, who went by the street name "Alleycat," for Stevenson's fatal shooting.

Gospel music, flowers and stuffed toys marked the spot where Stevenson fell after the bullet went through his brain.

His friends said they heard the shots and saw the sixth grader on the ground.

Stevenson's older sister, Shavenia Martin, said she saw him too.

"He was nice," Martin said. "He was always smiling. He was always just there."

Residents said hearing gun shots is nothing new in the area, which have young kids already talking about getting out of the neigbhorhood.

"I'm leaving most definitely, I got to," said Timanisha Miller, the victim's friend. "I can't live around here like that."

In early April, Derek Giles, 16, was murdered and two other young men wounded in gang crossfire in south Fort Worth.

Another innocent bystander was shot by gang members while cooking in her northside kitchen.

Police swarmed the gang-infested area Thursday and arrested anyone wanted for anything in an attempt to clear the streets of gang members.

Although gang crime has gone up in the recent months, police said it is still down compared to 2005. They also said murders were down with 20 murders so far this year compared to 30 around the same time last year.

However, police and community activists said the recent murder adds more pressure to tear down some Woodhaven complexes to rid the area of gangs.

[TexasStooge]

Suspect apologizes for alleged officer assault

By MARY ANN RAZZUK / WFAA ABC 8

MCKINNEY, Texas - A Colorado man accused of violently assaulting a McKinney police officer apologized Thursday while talking about what led up to the incident.

Joshua Jones, 31, was indicted this week for aggravated assault on a peace officer.

After McKinney Officer Russel May asked Jones to step out of his car with his hands up, police said Jones attacked the officer.

"I don't know if it's something the officer did to me," Jones said. "I just lost it."

Wanted in Colorado for walking away from a halfway house, Jones said he was stressed out at the time he was stopped. He had come to McKinney to visit his son and had ended up in a fight with the child's mother.

As he left her apartment, Officer May arrived.

"I felt betrayed by my baby's mother," Jones said.

Jones said he doesn't remember the incident because he blacked out.

"I apologize," he said. "The only thing he was doing was doing his job. I wished that never happened, but it did and I'm glad that he's not hurt."

But McKinney police said Officer May has been off the streets and is on restricted duty because of his injuries.

"He needs to be as candid with a judge and a jury in Collin County as he was with the television camera today," said Randy Roland, McKinney Police Department.

Jones said he is not a violent man.

"The only regret I have is I should never have put my hands on that police officer," Jones said.

[TexasStooge]

Investigation to look at South Oak Cliff principal

By BRETT SHIPP / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - Principal Donald Moten of South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas was placed on an administrative leave Thursday for the second time in 2006.

What started a few weeks ago as allegations of sexual harassment, mushroomed into a long list of concerns about Moten's management of his school, which include alleged grade changing, manipulation of attendance figures and charging students to attend pep rallies.

The allegations don't stop there.

In a coming up News 8 investigation, News 8, current and former South Oak Cliff employees and parents will recount troubling tales of alleged retaliation and oppression within the school.

"Obviously personnel matters are not something we can discuss openly in the public," said Donald Claxton, Dallas Independent School District.

Claxton said the district is looking into complaints and taking them "very seriously."

[TexasStooge]

Pupils apologize for tainted muffins

By HOLLY YAN, KRISTINE HUGHES and PAUL MEYER / The Dallas Morning News and BERT LOZANO / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - The two high school students charged by anti-terrorism officials in the case of drug-laced bran muffins that sent 19 Richardson school district employees to hospital have apologised for the incident.

The mystery muffins, delivered May 16 to a Lake Highlands High School staff lounge, were eaten by workers who fell into bouts of dizziness and nausea. Tests confirmed the presence of the main psychoactive substance in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.

"It's a terrible joke that went wrong, man," said Joseph Robert Tellini , an 18-year-old Lake Highlands senior.

"I'm truly sorry for everything everyone has gone through," said Ian McConnell Walker, an 18-year-old Bishop Lynch High School student.

Each face five counts of assault of a public servant.

The two are set to give a formal statement at a press conference on Friday.

The FBI North Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force filed the cases Wednesday with the Dallas County district attorney's office, but declined to comment on the two teenagers' suspected roles.

"The FBI or the joint terrorism task force has the investigative authority for anything that is a weapon of mass destruction. We had to initially evaluate this to determine what it was," said FBI Special Agent Jennifer Moore.

"We will continue to assist in any way that is needed."

Agent Moore said the FBI does not consider the tainted muffins an act of terrorism.

The Walker family could not be reached for comment.

At their East Dallas home, several days' newspapers and mail were piled on the front patio and neighbors said they hadn't seen the family since last weekend. A woman who answered the door at the Tellini home in Casa Linda declined to comment.

None of the Lake Highlands workers who ate the muffins suffered serious injuries.

A Richardson school official said last week that a man delivered two boxes of the muffins to the lounge, saying they were part of an Eagle Scout project.

Rachel Raya, a spokeswoman with the Dallas County district attorney's office, said prosecutors have been working with the FBI and Dallas police on the case, but had not received any files by late Wednesday.

Although the two men face third-degree felony charges of assaulting a public servant, Ms. Raya said prosecutors will ask a grand jury to enhance the charge so it becomes a more serious second-degree felony. A statute in the penal code allows such an enhancement when a controlled substance is used in an offense, she said.

A third-degree felony carries punishment of two to 10 years in prison; a second-degree felony carries punishment of two to 20 years in prison.

A neighbor of the Tellini family who attended Bishop Lynch, a private Catholic school, with Mr. Tellini and Mr. Walker said Wednesday that the two were polar opposites – Mr. Walker a smart, cocky, straight-laced kid. The student said Mr. Tellini had transferred from Bishop Lynch to Lake Highlands.

Sylvia Matamoras, a neighbor of the Walkers, said she was surprised by news of the charges.

"They're a nice family," she said.

Across the street, Esther L. Smith called Mr. Walker a responsible young man who was supposed to graduate from Bishop Lynch on Sunday.

"He seemed to be a nice kid," Ms. Smith said. "He helps with mowing the yard and seems to be very good about staying at home."

But the neighbor said that if the charges are true, the teens should be disciplined.

"That's serious, handing out things that could cause death or serious injury," she said.

Dallas police Lt. Rick Watson said he could not comment on the investigation.

"I don't know if an arrest warrant has been issued," Lt. Watson said.

Richardson school district spokeswoman Jeanne Guerra said district officials learned of the charges from a news release distributed by the FBI about 5 p.m. Wednesday.

"If in fact either of those charged are RISD students, then they will be dealt with according to the student code of conduct," she said.

Richardson school officials would determine punishment before commencement Saturday.

Earlier this week, Bishop Lynch officials suspended a senior and said he would not graduate with his class after he emerged as a suspect. It was not known if that student was one of those charged Wednesday.

"A graduation ceremony is not a right but a privilege," Ms. Guerra said.

Dallas Morning News staff writers Robert Tharp and Steve McGonigle contributed to this report.

[TexasStooge]

Suspect apologizes for alleged officer assault

By MARY ANN RAZZUK / WFAA ABC 8

MCKINNEY, Texas - A Colorado man accused of violently assaulting a McKinney police officer apologized Thursday while talking about what led up to the incident.

Joshua Jones, 31, was indicted this week for aggravated assault on a peace officer.

After McKinney Officer Russel May asked Jones to step out of his car with his hands up, police said Jones attacked the officer.

"I don't know if it's something the officer did to me," Jones said. "I just lost it."

Wanted in Colorado for walking away from a halfway house, Jones said he was stressed out at the time he was stopped. He had come to McKinney to visit his son and had ended up in a fight with the child's mother.

As he left her apartment, Officer May arrived.

"I felt betrayed by my baby's mother," Jones said.

Jones said he doesn't remember the incident because he blacked out.

"I apologize," he said. "The only thing he was doing was doing his job. I wished that never happened, but it did and I'm glad that he's not hurt."

But McKinney police said Officer May has been off the streets and is on restricted duty because of his injuries.

"He needs to be as candid with a judge and a jury in Collin County as he was with the television camera today," said Randy Roland, McKinney Police Department.

Jones said he is not a violent man.

"The only regret I have is I should never have put my hands on that police officer," Jones said.

[TexasStooge]

Police: Woman shot after knife attack

By YOLANDA WALKER / WFAA ABC 8

FORT WORTH, Texas - Police said a Fort Worth domestic call turned violent in the 2800 block of Las Vegas Trail Thursday night.

A neighbor called police when she heard two women inside an apartment arguing around 7:00 p.m. Police said when they arrived to the apartment, the suspect opened a door and threw a beer bottle at the officers.

Officers said they then decided to gain entry into the apartment where they said the suspect went after them with a knife.

A shot was fired at the suspect, hit her in the stomach area and she was taken the JPS Hospital, police said.

Her condition is unknown and no other injuries were reported.

[TexasStooge]

Was a tow truck driver's arrest an abuse of power?

By REBECCA LOPEZ / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - The Dallas Police Department is investigating an officer and his partner for false arrest and other allegations after a tow truck driver was arrested after towing the officer's personal car.

Sources said Officer Michael Contreras had words with a tow truck driver on lower Greenville and Monticello Saturday night as he towed the officer's car.

Officer Contreras got his car out of the pound Saturday night. However, police said on Sunday he and his partner drove to the same pound in uniform, in a police squad car and while on duty out of their division specifically to arrest the tow truck driver.

"They went to the employees business and attempted to detain him," said Asst. Chief Danny Garcia. "Actually, they did detain him and then released him."

Sources said Officer Contreras and his partner, Officer Edward Saenz, discovered the driver had an outstanding warrant and went to his job, handcuffed him, put him in their squad car and they may have taken him to the city's detox center even though he wasn't drunk.

Officer Saenz has a long history of problems with the department, which include false arrest and excessive force allegations.

The department is sorting out what rules or laws may have broken.

[TexasStooge]

After 20 years, mother of heart donor meets recipient

Women share photos and a lifetime of memories through a stream of tears and embraces

By DAVID FLICK / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS, Texas - When Debra King met Michelle Mullins on Thursday, she lay her ear on Ms. Mullins' chest, and for the first time in 20 years, Ms. King heard her daughter's heart beat.

Standing in the crowded lobby of Dallas Love Field, the two women repeatedly embraced, cried and looked into each other's eyes.

"Thank you for not giving up looking for me," Ms. King told her.

In June 1986, after Ms. King's 14-year-old daughter, Radina Mundo, died suddenly of a brain aneurysm, the girl's heart was transplanted into Ms. Mullins, who was then a 20-year-old student in rural southwestern Virginia suffering from viral cardiomyopathy.

The procedure was successful, and Ms. Mullins is one of the longest-surviving heart-transplant recipients in the world.

For 20 years, Ms. Mullins had wanted to offer thanks, but hospital officials initially forbade her from seeking information about the donor's family.

Ms. King, in turn, was told her daughter's heart had been given to a 59-year-old man and was unaware of Ms. Mullins' existence.

Earlier this year, Ms. Mullins, who had heard that the donor had lived in Dallas, contacted The Dallas Morning News, which in turn called the Southwest Transplant Alliance. The alliance tracked down Ms. King, who now lives in Mesquite, in late March, and the two women connected by phone.

On Thursday, using tickets provided by Southwest Airlines and the alliance, Ms. Mullins – accompanied by her husband and stepson – was able to extend her gratitude in person to Ms. King.

She did so repeatedly, and often through tears.

"It's because of you and your daughter that I've had so many things," she told Ms. King. "I met my husband, and I got to see my nephew's wedding and so many things.

"I'm so glad I've been able to have all that in my life."

Ms. King gave Ms. Mullins a rabbit's foot that her daughter carried with her for good luck, and Ms. Mullins told the Mesquite woman that one of her father's nicknames for her was "Rabbit."

Ms. King also gave her a photo of Radina taken soon before the Gaston Middle School student's death.

"She's beautiful," Ms. Mullins said, cupping the photograph in her hand.

Then, addressing Ms. King, she said, "You're beautiful, and I'm so grateful."

Ms. Mullins and Ms. King said they look forward to talking privately, but they otherwise have no set plans. Ms. Mullins and her family said they intend to spend a few days in Dallas before heading to San Antonio, where she has relatives.

She also wants to visit the grave of her mother, who died when Ms. Mullins was 16.

Ms. Mullins said she wasn't nervous about the meeting until she was on the plane to Dallas after a stopover in Houston.

"It had been 20 years, and then I started thinking, 'In an hour, I'm going to meet her mother,' " she said.

"Twenty years is a long time to see a face. But it's worth it."