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Update on Sandra Cantu
This is another of those cases that just keeps getting weirder and weirder. This development actually makes me feel sick. That poor little girl.
Rape may be alleged in girl’s slayingProsecutors said today they may include rape and molestation allegations in their murder charge against the woman suspected of killing an 8-year-old Northern California girl and putting her body in a suitcase.
Melissa Huckaby, 28, was arrested Friday on suspicion of kidnapping and murdering Sandra Cantu.
San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney Robert Himmelblau told The Associated Press today that a homicide charge against Huckaby could also include the special circumstances of rape with a foreign object, lewd and lascivious conduct with a child and murder in the course of a kidnapping.
A conviction on any of the special circumstances would make Huckaby eligible for the death penalty or life in prison without parole, Himmelblau said. The district attorney has not determined whether his office will seek the death penalty in the case, he said.
Sandra disappeared March 27. She was last seen on surveillance video skipping near her home at the Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park in Tracy. A 10-day search ended April 6, when farmworkers draining a nearby irrigation pond found a suitcase that contained her remains.
Himmelblau wouldn’t provide additional details on any evidence leading prosecutors to consider the sexual assault allegations. Police have not released any details on how, where or why Sandra was killed.
“I was hoping that wasn’t the case,” said Sandra’s aunt, Angie Chavez, regarding the possibility of rape and molestation allegations. “I’m in shock,” she said through tears. The whole thing is unimaginable.”
Formal charges have not yet been filed against Huckaby. A final decision on which special circumstances to include has not been made, Himmelblau said. Huckaby is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Stockton.
Himmelblau was not aware if Huckaby had an attorney.
Himmelblau said prosecutors were considering filing other charges against Huckaby but declined to specify what the additional charges may be.
She remained in custody without bail in San Joaquin County jail today where jail staff have been monitoring her mental health. She’s not been allowed visitors.
Tracy police did not immediately return messages seeking comment. San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Deputy Les Garcia said autopsy results were still pending.
How many more innocent children are going to die at the hands of these sick individuals? I adore children and couldn’t ever imagine hurting one. Her poor family to have to live without her….now to wonder what her last minutes on this earth were like. I just don’t understand.
I am sickened over this case. I hope that police take a very hard look at this womans little girl who is only 5. Police said they believe before Ms. Cantu reported her missing she was already dead. That is a very hard timeline to believe no one knew of this happening in that pastors house. My heart aches for this families grief and the horrible details over their little girls passing.
There are so many weird people around…
I like your Blog! Very informative.
cordially,
Tom Schuckman
tschuckman@aol.com
Disabled Vietnam Vet: 68-70
Wisconsin
Jesus is Lord.
I just saw this in the Tracy Press. :( I just hate to believe that such evil is among us.
Melissa Huckaby, 28, center, listens in a Stockton courtroom to public defender Ellen Schwarzenberg during her arraignment today. AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, Pool
Melissa Huckaby, 28, center, listens in a Stockton courtroom to public defender Ellen Schwarzenberg during her arraignment today. AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, Pool
slideshow
Melissa Chantel Huckaby, 28, is tied to a report that someone in January took a 7-year-old girl to a park for four hours and brought her back high on muscle relaxers.
The incident was reported on January 17 by a family in the Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park. Huckaby lived in the same complex, also where 8-year-old Sandra Cantu lived before police found her dead body on April 10. Police arrested Huckaby four days later on suspicion on kidnapping, raping and killing Sandra.
The January report alleges that someone took a 45-pound blue-eyed dark-haired girl to a park. The woman and the child were gone for four hours, from about 1:30 to after 5 p.m., according to the police log. The woman who took the girl drove a purple Kia Sportage, according to the report.
Police towed a purple Kia Sportage registered to Huckaby the day after farmworkers found Sandra’s body inside a suitcase dumped in a dairy lagoon.
The police log also noted an officer said the girl might be with a mobile home park resident’s “granddaughter.” Huckaby until her arrest lived with her grandparents, Clifford Lane and Connie Lawless.
When the woman — apparently Huckaby — returned the girl, the family took her to the hospital. A doctor found benzodiazepines — a muscle relaxant — in the girl’s bloodstream, the police log noted.
Police logs say the girl’s mother had alcohol on her breath and carried around some type of drug. Police dismissed the incident because of the mother’s drug and alcohol problem, said a friend of the family’s who asked not to be identified because the FBI asked the family not to talk about the case.
Tracy police Sgt. Tony Sheneman said he can say nothing about the reported abduction in January because it’s part of the ongoing murder investigation.
• Contact Tracy Press reporter Jennifer Wadsworth at 830-4225 or jwadsworth@tracypress.com.
Sweet innocent baby. Sandra is beautiful. Her family will need all the support during this difficult time.
How could they not have filed charges or anything with previous incident with other girl. They dismissed it because mom had alcohol on her breath. How completely shameful on police part. No matter if the mom or Huckaby gave that child the meds, isn’t that enough to charge someone and get to the bottom what happened? If I was Sandra’s family I would be outraged over this happening from other child. Just trying to put myself into what they are going through is impossible. I pray for the family to find some peace.
I heard somewhere something about pornography in this story makes
me wonder was this woman drugging some of these children and
taking pictures and selling them..maybe the little girl died from
being drugged and she tried to make it look like she was raped
i dont know their are so many weird things about this case..i keep
hearing different things..very sad..i hope true justice is brought
for this little girl along with the Anthony case..
This case, is “So” “So” sad! This “harmless” little girl who was 8 years old, never ever did anything too anyone. She was just a little girl, who was living her own life just like any other “little girl” on this earth. She “never ever” should’ve ever been Sexually Sodomized, or Sexually assaulted throughout the manner she was! And “plus” she was killed or suffocated, and she was found in a Suit case in a irrigation pond! This little Girl was “Pure” love. She never ever did a thing to no one! I “Seriously” think that this Sunday school teacher, or this Woman, or female, Should first of all be “Psychologically” tested with exstream measures. Because this case, is “very” unusual. Because in this case it is so unexpectable for any female too be doing something this “aweful” especially, too such a beautiful, wonderful, harmless, little 8 year old girl. I think the Courts of which ever should be doing this case should “deeply” think about what has happened here. And think hard about the punishment phase. Even if it shall mean the “ultimate” punishment “Lethal Injection! “God” bless this “Sweet” Innoscent, little Girl she never ever deserved such an aweful ending as what she received! We all love you little honey! Sandra Cantu. And “most certainly” so does our Father God and our lord and savior Jesus Christ. “Always” Koszarek Livingston. May God and our Lord and savior Jesus Christ be with her family always!!…………… 4-29-9 2:12 P.M.
I am appalled at this story. Did Melissa’s family enable her by allowing her around all of these children at sunday school? She obviously is one sick individual and I find it hard to believe that no one in her family had any clue. May Sandra rest in peace, she was a beautiful girl. May Melissa live a long, tortured life in which she has to face her demon’s everyday and her maker on the final day. It is my sincere wish that Melissa’s grandfather be looked at closely, so that it is determined he had no involvement. God be with Sandra’s family right now, and the other victim of Melissa’s- I hope that her parents realize just how lucky they are that she survived.
This is truly, truly horrific. My heart and prayers go out to little Sandra’s family.This story is still so confusing. I hope that after the 22nd more comes to public light. It’s hard to imagine a woman hurting a child let alone murdering one under those circumstancs. I hope the poilice get to the bottom of this case in terms of the number of people involved and their motives. If this has something to do with child pornography then it goes much further than just one very sick woman.
This crime will haunt me for all of my days. Shocking and horrible, it’s hard to believe that these creatures disguised as human beings exist. I started a blog with information on child locators and tracking devices. There is also information on child saftey whilstes. Child predators are turning out to be the people we least expect. Giving children saftey whistles and if possible using a child locator or GPS device are tools to help keep our children safe. I don’t doubt that this case is unique but I also feel that many, many more like this individual are out there. Keeping track of our children and having the capability to find them when they are late coming home from school, or returning from a friends house. All children deserve to ba safe, and going to play 5 door from your house should not cost a child their life. I will be watching the outcome of his case with the rest of the world. I pray that justice will be served.
For the Cantu Family this has been a heartbroken year for the Cantu Parents ever since the Kid was missing on a Friday just walking home from her friends house. I that I know that Sandra is home now with our dear savor which is the dear Lord Jessus Christ I think god should punish Melissa now for after what she has done to 8 year old Sandra Cantu. The question is: What made the 28 year old kill Sandra & made her disapeard like that?
This case still bothers me, it is 6/29/09 and I logged on to see about further developements. This young lady had joy and love written on her face in the video and photographs. I am sad for the family and sincerely hope and pray for strenghth and recovery from such a terrible situation and loss.
God bless Ya’ll
Sincerely,
Mark