Woman Charged with Fraud, Bigamy Caught in Mexico

A Los Angeles woman who fled the country with her children after being charged with bigamy and insurance fraud has been caught in Mexico.

Authorities said Damaris Amesquita was captured by a bail bonds agent in Mexicali after she fled earlier this year. Authorities say her two daughters, 9- and 11-, and a 2-year-old boy she had falsely claimed was her biological son were found unharmed.

Authorities say Amesquita fraudulently collected death benefits of more than $120,000 for her husband and falsely obtained health benefits for the 2-year-old by claiming him as her son. Prosecutors say her husband still lives in Guatemala.

Amesquita is a former clerk with the Los Angeles County Probation Department.