PLANO, Texas — A decades-old child abduction and sexual assault case has been solved, leading to a life sentence for the suspect through advances in DNA technology and persistent investigative work.
The case dates back to Aug. 15, 1991, when an 8-year-old girl was kidnapped while walking to a community pool in Plano. Investigators said the child was held for several hours and sexually assaulted before being released about 20 miles from her home.
Despite extensive efforts by the Plano Police Department, the case went cold.
Evidence collected in the case was preserved and later analyzed by the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences. In 2004, a DNA profile was developed and entered into CODIS, where it matched an unsolved case in Dallas involving a 9-year-old victim who had been abducted and assaulted under similar circumstances.
The case saw new momentum in 2023 when Plano Detective Benzick connected with Dallas Police Department Detective DeAngelis. The two reopened the investigation using forensic investigative genetic genealogy, a method that requires extensive DNA comparison and family tracing.
Through interviews, DNA collection and a review of decades-old evidence, investigators identified Nicholas Carney as a suspect. Authorities said Carney lived in the Dallas area at the time of the crimes, drove vehicles matching descriptions provided by victims and resembled composite sketches created during the original investigations.
Further evidence confirmed Carney’s involvement, leading to his arrest and conviction. As of Jan. 15, 2026, he is serving a life sentence in prison.
Officials said the breakthrough came after years of work and highlighted the importance of preserving evidence and revisiting cold cases with modern forensic tools.
Detective DeAngelis was later recognized for his work on the case, receiving the Super Sleuth Award at the Collin County Crime Victims Luncheon on April 22, 2026.
Authorities said the resolution brings long-awaited closure to the victims and their families.
