Missouri Mother Accused of Killing Three of Her Children in Drunk Driving Crash Arrested in Waco, Texas
WACO, Texas — A 33-year-old Missouri woman wanted on multiple felony charges, including three counts of second-degree murder in connection with a crash that killed three of her children, was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Waco, Texas, after authorities tracked her to the Killeen area.
Kaia Walls, 33, of Hayti, Missouri, was arrested October 22, 2026, on a warrant issued in New Madrid County following a September 25 crash in which investigators say she was driving while intoxicated.
Walls faces numerous felony charges related to the crash, including murder, assault and child endangerment.
SUV Overturned Multiple Times After Striking Pickup Truck
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 9:10 p.m. September 25 on U.S. Highway 61, about three miles north of Matthews, Missouri.
Investigators said Walls was driving an SUV when she struck the rear of a pickup truck.
The impact caused her SUV to leave the roadway and overturn multiple times.
Three of Walls’ children were killed in the crash.
Walls received medical treatment following the collision but later left Missouri, according to federal authorities.
Investigators Tracked Mother to Killeen, Texas
As the investigation continued, Missouri State Highway Patrol investigators determined that Walls was staying with her father in Killeen, Texas.
The agency contacted the U.S. Marshals Service for assistance in locating and apprehending her.
U.S. Marshals in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, forwarded information about Walls’ whereabouts to their counterparts in Waco.
On October 22, deputies with the U.S. Marshals Service in Waco located Walls and arrested her without incident.
She is expected to be extradited to Missouri to face the charges filed against her.
Mother Faces Multiple Murder, DWI and Child Endangerment Charges
According to the arrest warrant issued in New Madrid County, Walls faces the following charges:
- Three counts of second-degree murder
- One count of first-degree assault
- 13 counts of armed criminal action
- Three counts of driving while intoxicated resulting in death
- Two counts of driving while intoxicated resulting in serious physical injury
- Four counts of endangering the welfare of a child
The charges stem from the September 25 collision and the resulting deaths and injuries.
U.S. Marshals Credit Missouri Investigators for Arrest
Steven Lewis, U.S. marshal for the Eastern District of Missouri, praised the Missouri State Highway Patrol for its investigation and coordination with federal authorities.
“I want to commend the Missouri State Highway Patrol on their investigation and allowing the Marshals to assist in this arrest,” Lewis said.
“Fugitives who actively evade capture or try to avoid responsibility for their crimes should know there is no place to hide. We will find you and bring you to justice.”
The U.S. Marshals Service regularly assists state and local law enforcement agencies in locating fugitives across state lines.
According to the agency, U.S. Marshals-led fugitive task forces arrested more than 73,000 federal, state and local fugitives and cleared nearly 88,000 warrants nationwide in 2025.
