North Texas Woman Charged in 1982 Death of Niece

A North Texas woman has been charged in the 1982 death of her toddler niece after cold case investigators recently reviewed the evidence.

Mansfield city jail records show Teena Mathis of Springtown was being held Friday on a murder charge. Bond has been set at $250,000 for Mathis, who was charged Thursday.

Investigators say Mathis in July 1982 was looking after 15-month-old Heidi Page when the child was hurt.

Jolene Price told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that she asked prosecutors to close the case because she felt her daughter's death was an accident. Price says Mathis told her the girl walked behind some other children on a swing set and was hit in the head.

A coroner ruled the death a homicide.

An attorney for Mathis didn't immediately comment.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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