Mother of man wanted for the murder of 12-year-old Carlos Fernandez accused of sending text to help son escape

The mother of the man accused of shooting and killing a 12-year-old boy in Cloverleaf made her first court appearance Monday morning. (KPRC)

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – The mother of the man accused of shooting and killing a 12-year-old boy in Cloverleaf made her first court appearance Monday morning.

Alva Cornejo, 51, was expected to stand before a judge Monday. She is charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution and is an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador.

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She is the mother of Terry Bryan Rivera, who is wanted for the capital murder of Carlos Fernandez. The shooting happened last Monday.

Through a translator, prosecutors allege Cornejo met with her son in a car at about 9 or 10 a.m. last Monday, and he confessed to her what happened.

Officials said Cornejo told her son to turn himself into authorities, but he jumped out of the car and ran away.

According to prosecutors, about an hour later, she texted someone and asked them to help her son escape.

READ MORE: Family of 12-year-old boy killed in targeted shooting in Cloverleaf apartment calls for justice

Cornejo told investigators she had not talked to her son Rivera since they met the day of the murder.

Rivera was a former boyfriend of 12-year-old Carlos’ mother, and they share two other children together. Deputies said Rivera went to the family’s apartment early last Monday and shot into a bedroom window which killed Carlos.

RELATED: Deputies arrest mother of man wanted for murdering ex-girlfriend’s 12-year-old son in Cloverleaf

Carlos’ two younger sisters, his mother, and another man were inside the home, but they were not injured.

Carlos’ family believes more people are helping Rivera.

The judge set Cornejo’s bond at $25,000. Her next court appearance is Tuesday morning.

Carlos’s funeral is also happening on Monday at 10 a.m.


About the Authors

Reporter, family-oriented, sports fanatic, proud Houstonian.

Cynthia Miranda graduated from UT Austin and is a proud Houstonian. She is passionate about covering breaking news and community stories. Cynthia previously covered elections, the historic 2021 Texas winter storm, and other news in East Texas. In addition to writing, she also loves going to concerts, watching movies, and cooking with her family.

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