Transgender widow sent to jail

The transgender widow of a Wharton firefighter who is battling her dead husband's family over the legitimacy of the couple's marriage was sent to jail Friday after showing up late to court appearance for a theft charge.

Nikki Araguz was scheduled to plead out to felony theft Friday. She has admitted to stealing a Rolex watch from a woman at a bar.

The judge sent her to jail for being late and rescheduled her hearing to Jan. 25.

Araguz, who was born Justin Purdue, is fighting her husband's ex-wife for death benefits worth more than $600,000.

That case is winding its way through the appeals courts after a Wharton County judge ruled the marriage was not legally binding.