A Houston Woman Fatally Stabbed Her Mother. Then, She Fled and Returned Minutes Later Acting Like She Didn’t Know What Happened.

A Texas woman has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to stabbing her mother to death and then fleeing the scene, only to return minutes later and act like she didn’t know what happened, according to authorities.

On Aug. 16, 2021, Ericka Nicole McDonald wore black clothes and a mask and broke into her mother’s apartment in Houston using one of the windows, KTRK-TV reported.

McDonald then stabbed her mother and an aunt before she fled the scene, changed her clothes and then went back to her mother’s house within minutes. As first responders were working the scene, McDonald pretended she didn’t know what had happened.

Her mother, 51-year-old Terri Mendoza, was transported to a local hospital, where she died later. The 63-year-old aunt was stabbed six times, but she survived after surgery, KTRK-TV reported.

Officials said the aunt identified McDonald as the killer and she saw her attempting to perform CPR on her mom before fleeing.

According to authorities, McDonald was arguing with her mom and aunt before the attack took place. It had gotten so heated that relatives called the police twice earlier in the day.

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McDonald was reportedly living with relatives at a different apartment near where her mother lived. Detectives found a knife and bloody clothing inside the apartment where she was living. KPRC-TV reported.

As part of the plea deal, McDonald cannot appeal the conviction or sentence and she is required to serve at least half of the 30 years before she could be paroled.