Sandra Cantu Murder: Melissa Huckaby Arrested
Tracy, CA- At 2:59 AM PST, Melissa Huckaby, 28, was arrested on kidnapping and suspicion of murder charges for 8 year old Sandra Cantu.
Sources inside the investigation have confirmed to Blink on Crime that Huckaby had been on Tracy PD Investigators radar almost immediately. Huckaby was the last person to see Sandra alive, and claimed she frequently played with her 5 year old daughter at the home she shared for the last year with her grandparents Pastor Clifford Lane Lawless and Connie Lawless.
It would seem Huckaby raised immediate flags to police and the community when she told Investigators a black suitcase containing scrapbooking supplies for her Sunday school class had been stolen from her driveway. Huckaby is also due to be sentenced on a theft charge on April 17th, in which she claimed to be mentally incompetent to stand trial. Following a mental evaluation, the court determined she was fit and she pled guilty of the charge.
Melissa Huckaby is the daughter of Brian Lawless, who is also affilliated with a Baptist Church; NOT his dad’s.
Blink on Crime has learned that although Melissa has told police she is a Sunday School teacher at the Clover Baptist Church which her grandfather Lane Lawless is a pastor, she is not.
Huckaby is a volunteer Sunday School teacher and Church Choir member at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Bellflower, CA. Located at 9246 Rosser St, FMBC shows both Huckaby’s Father and Uncle, Brett Lawless, are assistant pastors or Bible Class educators in a church completely unaffilliated with their Fathers. Odd.
Why would this woman have access to her grandfather’s church that by all accounts has no more than 15 members and has not had actual services in years? The last confirmed continuing education classes I can track Lawless to is in 2007.
Huckaby claimed to have received a note the day after Sandra Cantu went missing saying “Cantu.. suitcase..water..” with the word suitcase mispelled and at least the word Whitehall in it. Blink on Crime has received an unverified tip the note in question was actually written by Huckaby prior to a suicide attempt which landed her in Sutter Tracy Hospital last week in the ICU. Tracy Police were stationed outside of her room in rotating shifts while Investigators continued to build their case.
By Huckaby’s own admission, she volunteered that as recently as a few months ago, she was interviewed by police regarding a 7 year old girl from the Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park who she had taken to a nearby park three times during that week with her five year old daughter. She stated to several reporters in telephone interviews late yesterday afternoon that at approximately 2 am, hours after she returned the young playmate, police showed up at her trailer and told her the child had narcotics in her system. Blink on Crime has attempted to corroberate this information with Sgt. Tony Sheneman of the Tracy Police Department, but Sheneman was unaware of the incident. He has requested that information from Investigators. Regarding the suitcase she claimed had been stolen, she told reporters that she did not have online access to report it, but her myspace page indicates otherwise.
Sgt. Sheneman answered a few questions from reporters last evening indicating that the information that led to Huckaby’s arrest came from her directly. When asked by a reporter if there would be more arrests he stated that he did not anticipate their would be additional arrests in this case, It is my opinion that Sgt. Sheneman chose his words very carefully for a reason. He responded: “not in this particular case ..”
I will go out on a limb on this one and interpret that response for my readers, albeit subjectively, I admit. You have a woman with a history of drug abuse, a juvenile record and current theft charges, who has been investigated for narcotics being found in a small girl, who was taken to a “park” in the evening for several hours . You have a town that is currently investigating 60 Sex Offenders, convicted of various assaults on children, and two recent high profile arrests of men within the school district accused of similar atrocities, awaiting trial. You have an 8 year old child abducted and murdered and I believe her pathology report will show drugs in her system. You have Fred Williams, a church member/caretaker with access to the church and shed who lies about a rummage sale, is seen on video dropping off the “letter to Sandra’s killer” at the memorial site , and lives in a 4,000 sq Ft. home worth over half a mill with extensive rap sheets for him and the Mrs. hanging on the fridge. Was that note to Mel to the Issa to keep quiet?
So.. the question becomes.. Why would she be drugged, for what purpose? I feel strongly this is the tip of the iceberg within Orchard Estates and the Clover Baptist Church. On the comments section of my site, you will note their is a poster who claims Christian Sinclair and Huckaby are “dating.” You will also note that I received some comments from a person claiming to be Sinclair’s child. I checked them out, she is. She posted that the Isuzu Trooper impounded by the FBI had been returned last week. She was correct, but what has not yet been, is his Cadillac, pictured here next to Huckaby’s KIA in the FBI Forensic Bay:
In a 3 am Press conference, Chief of Tracy Police Department Janet Thiessen spoke briefly:
..over the course of the investigation, agents and investigators from numerous agencies, have been instrumental in identifying Melissa Huckaby as being responsible for Sandra’s death.” “We have information that Sandra, by the time she was reported missing to us, probably had already been murdered.”
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I agree, I’m a 55 year old woman, not in particularly good shape and lift & carry 60 lb, large potted plants up & down stairs when I decide to. No hospitalization has yet been required afterward.
I do not mean to assert that I think she acted alone. Only that moving the suitcase seems far from impossible for her to have done.
I just want to say that this case breaks my heart. Such a senseless act on a beautiful litle girl who, on the mobile home park video, seemed so joyful! To Sandra’s family I know this is a gut wrenching Easter for you and I am praying for each of you. LE seem to be doing a great and quick job, try to take some confort in the fact that justice for Sandra will come. It will certainly not ease the pain of losing her, but it may help in some small way. I hope California’s judgement for anyone that hurts a child is harsh, because in Fla., children do not get justice for crimes commited to them..and that itself is a crime.
God Bless you all and know that millions of people all over the US are praying for you. All I know to say is I am so sorry for your loss. I certainly have no idea what hell you are going through.
Could Connie Lawless be the Connie in the East Wenatchee child porn bust? …??? (Blink, great blog!! Happy Easter to all!)
“I found another article saying that the Wenatchee Pastor Robert Roberson and his wife Connie were cleared on all 14 counts, but I’m really starting to wonder if they were actually guilty. I’m wondering if there is some connection. I could be wrong, but my instincts believe different.”
Pastor Lane Lawless was saved in Wenatchee, Washington, In April of 1960. He was baptized July 9, 1960 by the authority of the Eastside Missionary Baptist Church of East Wenatchee. http://www.clover-road-baptist-church.com/Pastor1.html
Well people, back in 1995 in East Wenatchee, police busted a big child pornography ring, operating inside a CHURCH and the pastors house! His wify was also involved. I’m starting to believe this ring has been together since the 60’s. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-16947472.html
I was concerned/curious about the above mentioned Wenatchee connection, and did a bit of research to try to differentiate fact from fiction in correlating that debacle with this case. In the end, I am not so sure there is legit info from that case that can be used to create suspicion towards the ‘Pastor’ Lawless in Tracy. The following link seemed to be the most informative and unbiased in its information that I read:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/wenatche1.htm
That being said, having done some homework before speaking, I am in agreement with so many who are saying that their gut is doing flip flops – something feels very very wrong here. IMHO, there is more yet to be uncovered; MH may be the only one charged (thus far) in THIS PARTICULAR CASE, but there could well have been a grander scheme behind MH’s abduction of dear little Sandra – MH just botched it or it all went wrong too soon. I believe LE will be piecing together all of the info they have gathered from the church, the Lawless home & MH herself in the days to come . . .
Thanks Tams for that leg work and I agree with your gut, entirely.
B
Something that stood out to me in the article above was that Huckaby was the last person to see Sandra alive- and that had put her on their radar from the beginning. How was it known that she was the last person to see Sandra alive? That is what I have never seen anywhere. Was this by her own admission? Did she confirm Sandra had come to her house? Or was her daughter the friend that Sandra had told her mom she was off to visit? This one little statement holds alot of questions in my opinion.
I went to the memorial at frys for little sandra. I lived and worked two blocks from the church on 821 clover rd.
In speaking to people in the park where sandra lived I was told that she (Melissa) had also drugged another little girls prior to killing sandra. It was another playmate of Sandra Cantu’s. How mind blowing to find it to be a female. MOST SHOCKING!!!! to everyone I spoke to.
Hello,
I don’t think there is a court in this world that can possibly deal out a punishment suitable for whoever killed this child. I understand Melissa is still a suspect and so I do wish in my heart that she is innocent. I would not wish upon anyone to be found guilty of such a hainess crime and sin.
I am really writing in respect to family members who might be following this website. My prayers go out to you. I hope at some point that resolve may be found in your hearts. I hope you become strong advocates against sex offenders and threats present to our children. Your unwillful sacrifice presents a grim reminder to us all of the evil that is present in our world. May you mourn in grief to sandrus loss and celebrate her life and memories you have of her.
God bless
What kind sentiments Mark, thank you, and I agree.
B
to clear some facts posted on this site:
BRIAN LAWLESS AND BRETT LAWLESS ARE NOT
“assistant pastors or Bible Class educators” @ FMBC
BRIAN AND BRETT ARE TWO OF THE THREE WORSHIP
LEADERS AT FMBC. BRETT IS ALSO ONE OF THE TWO
YOUTH LEADERS AT FMBC.
Thanks for the clarification on the semantics. I indicated they are part of the “worship Team”, because they are referred to that way on the site
B.
I had a gut feeling from the start the gradma wss involved. When she talks about Sandra is like there is no emotion like she is empty inside and the words are only words. this woman had to know about the previous girl drugged, where was her granddaughter that day etc. maybe she didn’t have all details but the way she talked is as if she was oblivious to everything. There was not even a sign she was worried about the situation. WEIRD
LINKS:
Huckaby phone interview with CBS5 reporter Joe Vaszquez
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLN6zKFHuAM
Here is the same reporter saying 2 minutes into the interview, his cell phone died and that’s why it was cut off: http://cbs5.com/local/sandra.cantu.arrest.2.982515.html
KSBW8 video of Lane and Connie Lawless: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hDiA8ohwac
Before Sandra was found, her is her mother (very sad): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxfPOPBgkLQ
Surveillance video of Sandra:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1j5R-sVIRA
Fred Williamns: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja-WtThbxZ8
KCRA3 website has much local news/videos: http://www.kcra.com/news/index.html
A big thanks to Blink for such a great job at gathering so much info. Especially when, at this early point in the case, so little is known or being released by LE.
I’m a therapist and have been doing research on child abuse over the past 15 years, after having clients alert me to the issue. Prior to that, I was blind, dumb and in denial about child abuse – just like most of our society. Not any more. A few comments on the case.
Child abuse tends to fall into three categories –
(1.) Within a family, where there is usually only one or two abusers and it is confined to family children. We rarely hear about these cases until years later when the grown children come forward. They could be your neighbors. Ritual type abuse may or may not be involved.
(2.) Organized abuse by a group (smaller town or rural, lower income and average education level). These groups tend to be fairly small and somewhat self-contained, although that is changing with the advent of the internet. Ritual abuse and sometimes Satanic elements are involved – very often using the cover of a church. One family may serve as the core of the group, with more than one generation involved. As Honey posted –
Well people, back in 1995 in East Wenatchee, police busted a big child pornography ring, operating inside a CHURCH and the pastors house! His wify was also involved. I’m starting to believe this ring has been together since the 60’s. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-16947472.html
As these groups are not “professional”, fairly often someone will make mistakes or otherwise expose the activity.
Just as often though, a few local officials such as local police or local leaders are part of the group and serve to keep the cover on.
(3.) Organized, professional abuse groups (higher income, mostly urban areas) This is the type of group involved in the famous “Franklin Cover Up” in Omaha, NE back in the late 80′s. It involved people of the highest positions in the city, wealthy and powerful. These groups are also networked across the nation and even internationally – involved in child-sex slavery, porno and drug smuggling. Ritual abuse is almost always a factor, although “Satanism” is usually used only as a cover to scare the curious away. These groups involve some of the most powerful and wealthy people in the country and almost are never exposed – simply because they control so many facets – the D.A., the police, judges and the media.
At this point I can only speculate, but I believe it’s clear that we have a #2 type group involved here in Sandra’s case. Not too smart and not too organized. There are too many facts that suggest this.
– the police interest in the church and their admission that Sandra was killed there. The search of the roof and the bed that was taken, etc.
– other individuals connected to Melissa are too suspicious. As is the Silverado truck.
– access to a drug that would immobilize a child. While individual abusers certainly are known to use drugs on children, it is far more common in group activity.
– Female solo abusers, as others have posted here, are VERY rare.
– other investigations of abuse rings in the same area of CA.
And finally, I just don’t believe Melissa seems smart enough to carry this whole thing off by herself. Her eyes in the photo speak to me of someone who was abused herself as a child, probably by her own family.
I also believe it’s possible that Melissa did NOT kill the child, but was involved in her kidnapping and the cover up. She may be a “patsy” of sorts. The police may be hoping her arrest will open up the case to catch more of the group – which is their real goal.
It is more likely, unfortunately, that all the focus will be on Melissa and the police and LE will scapegoat her and keep the rest of the larger story covered up, as seems to be already happening.
No, this is not a simple case of Munchhausen’s although that appears to be an element. Nor is it a simple case of Melissa abusing a child solo and accidentally killing her, although I believe the death was accidental.
Follow the money may be good advice, as always. Are there individuals connected to Melissa who seem to be living “beyond their means”? Was Melissa in need of money for old debts? Here is where the porno for money theory can be proven, if that is the fact.
Again, thanks Blink for such a great job, and all you intelligent posters!
has anyone wondered if internal bleeding could be from a kick due to a struggle?
I may be wrong, but I remember seeing an account of a person who lives by the Clover Road church who stated that the Sunday after Sandra went missing was one of the first Sundays that there wasn’t church there that he can remember. But I’ve read in other places that there hasn’t been church there in a very long time. Also, how in the world can you pay for the building and electric bill with only 14 or so members? Either way it sounds suspicious.
I found it incriminating when I heard “matter-of-factly” by Fred Williams that the “stolen” suitcase was the same suitcase found. Only the person who put Sandra in the suitcase and the investigators involved would know for sure that it was the same suitcase, even if a person was assuming the connection, I think they would have worded it differently…”there was a suitcase stolen and it might be the same one they found…or it might be connected” or something like that.
I have a sick feeling that there is a connection within that church with the way things are being phrased…including saying that Sandra was abused.
Hi Blink, the picture of a young woman’s mugshot is haunting and now I know what might have been causing me to feel this way. Maybe this woman acted alone, coming to whatever place caused her to take this youngster, if the idea of drugs and porn (that assumes ‘child abuse’ by definition, at least where I’m from I think) is where this is going, what are the chances of Melissa herself, being brought into such activities as a young child herself and then being the one to bring others into the ‘business’ (if that’s what it was). Still have to check out Melissa’s childhood, don’t they?
Just thinking out loud but perhaps Huckaby was used as a lure for these young girls for other SO–we have the alleged report of her taking another girl to the park & later drugs found in her system–we have the police investigating the tracy 60. perhaps melissa befriended and then lured & drugged these young girls to be molested or photographed however this time Sandra od’d and MH panicked & got rid of her body. i usually try to keep it simple but in this case its hard for me to imagine she just snapped.
remember the case of Brooke Bennett, 12, who went missing June 25, 2008. a 14-year-old ‘girlfriend’ of Brooks told investigators she tricked Bennett into thinking she was going to a party and took her to a home to be initiated into a sex ring of which she had been a part since she was 9. Brooke was later found in a makeshift grave
Mike, why would you think this was not a case of -you said..”No, this is not a simple case of Munchhausen’s although that appears to be an element.”
How so? Do you even know what this disorder entails? Apparently YOU DO NOT. Keep studying, you have a lot more to learn.
Women kill everyday, I don’t see why people are so sure Melissa didn’t act alone. Perhaps she took pictures of a dead naked Sandra??? Sorry to suggest such a thing, just trying to figure it all out. Melissa’s friend and school mate from Orange County said Melissa was moody and odd.
Blink…
As far as the CNN article on the Child Abuse in the Church,there are pictures and they x out for me, so I can’t see them. I am interested to see if Connie Lawless is Connie Roberson. Thanks for any help. CAN YOU SEE THE PCITURES TO ID?
Thanks again Blink, you rock!
fedupmom …………
Brooke Bennett was murdered by her UNCLE and her STEP FATHER Was in on the plan as well. Last I heard, Brook knew she was going to a sex initiation party. I remember that case very well, so sad..worthless parents.
Mike,I believe LE said Melissa was “resigned” to what happened, after her emotional outburst to LE right before her arrest. Sounds as though there is NO DOUBT she killed Sandra. She found the note, visited the area Sandra was found, owned the suitcase. Not much doubt left.
One thing I did notice about Melissa, she wanted to make sure her GrandFather was cleared of not owning the suitcase. After the arrest, the investigator in the News Conference said “Melissa HAD TO PAY” For Sandra’s death. Made it sound perhaps grisly.
Missing flyer listed Sandra’s weight as 45 lbs. So, like others have said, MH could easily have handled suitcase with Sandra in it herself.
And I’m with you Cares4Sandra, it seems pretty clear she was in on this all on her own. Sheneman would not say no other suspects and no other arrests expected unless she had disclosed exactly what happened and closed off any other possibilities. We’ve seen how talkative and revealing she has been to just the regular press. I’m sure she told well-trained FBI interrogators everything – including murder location which is why they id’d it and went back to church Friday nite (while she was being interviewed) to retrieve the mattress.
This line was not some reporters opinion, but rather direct quote from LE and they wouldn’t say that unless they knew exactly how things went down.
I just found this article. Seems she actually graduated from a different high school than was previously reported. http://www.mercurynews.com/topstories/ci_12128530
Cares4Sandra,
Did you also note that Melissa’s friend and school mate from Orange County said Melissa emailed her to say she was a “party coordinator”? I wonder what kind of parties she was coordinating?
This is a really great website. Wow. I have been dying to run this by someone. In the interview by phone with MH, she stated that a 7 year old went to the park with her. The mother was not home but, the Grandma of this 7 yr. was home and gave Melissa permission to take the girl to the park, as she had already 3 times prior. She stated that the mother did’nt even know her child was ‘missing’?Then she said “I mean with me” The police came at 2 when there was a report of drugs in 7 year old girl. My burning question is this. Could this 7 year old girl who lives with her Grandmother and Mother been Sandra? What if it was all brushed off? I think people should listen closely when she says the mother didn’t even know her daughter was missing.
I thought that right away. I thought it was possible especially considering LE had an immediate connection prior to her being found. Suffice it to say, if it was, we will hear about it.
Sandra did just turn 8. MH said that it was months ago. I just wonder if this seven year old girl was Sandra?
Is it me or does Melissa’s Father sounds arrogant in this article? Someone needs to show him Melissa’s myspace picture of her in the strapless dress with “A MAN”. Sorry, his tone just ticked me off. Blink, you are being waaaaaay to quiet tonight. Hope to hear more from you soon.
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=6757059
Yes, Sue, I did see the coordinator label. I noticed a Megan was a Coordinator at her Father’s church, maybe this is what Melissa wished she were?
From the ABC video…The GrandFather seems “resigned” to Melissa’s guilt. Father and Grandfather are like night and day. He calls his family..”They”….how weird.
I was just wondering if we are posting all this about the possible sex ring could we be incriminating this case by posting all this information here?
What bothers me is that if she acted alone how did she get that suitcase out of her vehicle without dragging it or the wheels making marks on the ground. Also, if alone she would have had to let it slide down the embankment. Unless she had someone who was big enough to carry the suitcase and toss it into the water. The police stated that they had check that area. I do not see how she would have been able to cover these tracks.
Huckaby’s father to be on the local news in a moment. Will post a link when it becomes available.
“gentle, kind, compassionate toward children and senior citizens…” I’m going to be sick
Here is MH’s myspace link if no one has posted it yet.
http://www.myspace.com/Cinderella888
Hardly a Cinderella… Blink, how soon do you think it will be before there is another arrest? And personally, I don’t think she could move that suitcase with Sandra in it very easily, or without dragging it either.
Here’s a link to the main page of channel 13 news. I’ll leave out my comments on it for now.
http://cbs13.com/
Sorry, I’d lose my head if it weren’t attached
http://www.mahalo.com Found this while searching for the church. WEB TV . Ther are some posters there that may be in on all of this. Huckaby may have been using the church for pics,video, internet. What do you make of it?
Mrsbillfrog
Blink , I am curious – if MH attempted to commit suicide early last week and by all accounts was the last person to see Sandra alive, did Sandra’s family ever suspect MH? Especially if it turns out Sandra had been druged before by MH?
“There are no other suspects and no more arrests are expected, said police spokesman Sgt. Tony Sheneman”
I believe this is a quote and heard the Sgt. say it in the press conference. However, I do not believe that it is true.
and the video camera was installed approximately two weeks prior, I believe by Sandra’s Uncle due to vandalism to a vehicle of his. I think someone said it was purchased at Costco..not sure tho
So much thoughtful input in this conversation! It will most certainly be interesting to see what unfolds in the aftermath of MH’s arrest. Follow up to just a couple of recent comments, if I may:
-Re: MH mugshot being ‘haunting’ (have also read that she looks high, obviously mentally disturbed, etc)… keep in mind that she just came off of being interrogated for 7 hours, it was 2 a.m., & she probably hadn’t slept for days given everything. Not so sure that we can read too much into that pic… JMHO. (Am in NO WAY defending her – just being practical…)
-Re: Connie Lawless actually being the same Connie from Wenatchee: would the age fit? Do we have any info proving the age of the defendnts at the time of that case? Wild. (insert Twilight Zone theme song here…) If nothing else, everyone here would make a phenomenal script writing team for a crime drama! (What a great group!)
-Re: poor Blink being too quiet tonight: Goodness – it’s a holiday! Perhaps she is lucky enough to have plans as well as friends & family to spend it with. (Everyone clearly respects your viewpoint & looks forward to your input, Blink!)
This is just so sad and very shocking. My heart is just breaking for little Sandra and her family. I just can’t believe that someone could do this to a beautiful, innocent child. I was so shocked to find out it was a woman, as most are. I just can’t keep thinking that things just don’t make sense. I want to know how MH got Sandra to the church and Connie the grandmother was home – I am thinking she must know something. Everytime I see the video of beautiful little Sandra skipping and swinging her arms, I break down in tears. I have lived in Tracy for 24 years and this is just so shocking. I had a reporter tell me that they do not expect this to happen in a town like Tracy, this is something that usually happens in a larger city. So very sad – I just pray that there will be justice for the person or persons who did this.
I just read an ABC news story that quoted law enforcement as saying that Sandra was killed “moments” after the surveilance video was taken. Not minutes, or hours, but “moments.”
It seems likely to me that if there was a plan to drug and abuse her that is something that would happen when you know you have some time to spend with the child. (Like when you have permission to take a child to the park – and know that the parents do not expect her home for a while.) Not something you might do when the child just stops by and may be expected at home again in a short period of time.
If she was killed immediately it makes me think that it was an impulsive act of rage. In the surveilance video we do see Sandra in the street looking towards Melissa’s residence (5 houses down the street) but I don’t think that it was an accident where Melissa backed up and hit her with the car and then covered it up (post #91 above). I heard Tracy Police Sgt. Tony Sheneman say that he could not even begin to speculate on her motive and I think that this statement suggests that he has concluded that it was deliberate and not accidental. He knows details that he cannot reveal and he did not say that there was no motive (as in an accident), but actually said that he would not speculate on what the motive was.
I think that if we look just at the facts that are known we may have to acknowledge that there was no sex ring or church involvement but that the explanation is much simpler. This would also explain why police are not expecting to make any further arrests. We thought for so long that the killer would be a man and that the crime would be sexually motivated. Well, now we know that the killer was not a man, and we should not assume that the death was a sex crime.
I can’t imagine the pain that Sandra’s family is suffering, and I would not want to add to their pain by speculating that she was sexually abused.
I lost a sister in 1969 to suicide and the local newspaper printed a story that she was raped and found with her nightgown tied around her neck – which was completely false according to the autopsy report and police report which we received a copies of – and the implication that she had been sexually assaulted added immeasurably to the pain that my family suffered both during the first few days and at the services and for many weeks afterward when we had to constantly correct assumptions made by people we knew. I watched my mother and father suffer so much and I know that the false newspaper report just added to our suffering, especially to my father’s pain.
The suffering in this situation is beyond measure and we don’t want to make their lives any more difficult than it already is.
Kathy, first let me say I am heartfully sorry for the loss of your sister and I cant imagine a worse set of circumstances to have compounded such a loss. I completely agree with you that leaping to conclusions is dangerous, but I also think it is dangerous not to investigate possibliities that might result in thwarting hime to other children. In this situation I believe there is enough here that indicates this woman was involved in something else. I dont know what LE your quoting that she was killed in moments, but according to the kidnapping charge, that simply can’t be true. If that is a quote, I am convinced she was drugged and they are referring to the “beginning of the end” if you will..
B
Blink, this note is on your active thread, but off topic. Your interviewee Keith Williams is now claiming to FL television stations that he searched the woods where Caylee was found and there was no bag present in August. This contradicts what he told you. Have you made your tapes of him available to LE, since he is also claiming now to be a defense witness? With the track record of the Baez team, is it possible that this man is inserting himself deeper into the story for financial gain? I read the reported interview in FL and it seems his story has changed substantially. Thanks.
This case is so sad but I am impressed with LE. I wish Misty Croslin had been arrested. I think had they arrested her, Haleigh may have been found.
CBS13 April 12, 2009 raw footage of Brian Lawless, father of Melissa (approx 15 min)
http://cbs13.com/video/?id=51948@kovr.dayport.com
Another thought comes to mind. The story that MH told Sandra that her daughter had to clean her room and couldn’t play. What if she told her that she couldn’t play right then and come back in a little while.
That way she could set up what ever she needed to abduct the child.
Kathy I too am sorry for what you’ve endured and your loss. I too considered how Sheneman said Saturday morning “From information gathered, Sandra was killed not too long after she went missing.” The question is, was she missing moments after the surveillance tape or when her mother reported her missing around 8pm that evening?
I gathered it meant after the surveillance tape. If she was killed just moments after that tape then it could have been an accident with the SUV, and she scooped Sandra up and took her to the church, where she perished right away. Or of course it could have been deliberate. Maybe Sandra walked in the house and saw something she shouldn’t have seen and MH ‘took care of her’. Maybe MH was involved with a deeper uglier ‘ring’ of something vile that she wanted to use Sandra for.
There is a lot of speculation and I agree with Blink, all possibilities will need investigation. We speculate without all of the facts. No autopsy report, media telling us what they hear and know. We are all like amateur detectives holding only a tenth of a case-file and an internet full of different theories and information.
I hope we are not causing the family any more distress, that would be my last goal.
B – thanks for your sympathy with regards to my sisters death. I agree completely that it is dangerous not to investigate possibilities that might result in harm to a child.
My point was simply that public accusation or speculation before an investigation can be hurtful in many ways.
My source for the “moments” comment was from this story online at the KGO-TV (ABC San Francisco) website: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=6756531
The third paragraph of this story reads: Investigators say they are sure Huckaby is behind the murder of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu. She is accused of kidnapping and killing Sandra just moments after a surveillance system recorded the little girl skipping through her neighborhood.
US State & Federal Governments are failing miserably. The most important responsibility of government is law enforcement. That pedophiles and sexual predators are released from prison to re-offend is outrageous. State legislatures & the US Congress must enact legislation which gets these criminals off the streets permanently. We must have a zero-tolerance policy with the first conviction. Sexual deviants who prey on boys, girls, women & even men should forfeit their freedom forever. There is no effective cure or rehabilitation. Caging these vicious animals is the only answer.
Instead of fulfilling their duty, government bureaucrats, officials and elected officeholders stick their noses into our business, enacting laws we don’t need and confiscating our property to distribute to lowlifes like these sexual deviants.
Look at the jobs government fails to perform on a daily basis. I challenge anyone to find a county, city or state where the roads are not in terrible disrepair. Something as simple as maintaining roads, they utterly fail. America’s bridges are crumbling, electrical grids are obsolete, air traffic control equipment decades behind — totally antiquated.
My fellow Americans, we have got to stop voting for these assholes who tax the hell out of us and give us crap in return.
We must elect responsible and responsive politicians who will truly represent us in our state and federal governments. We need legislators and legislatures that will pass laws to end this scourge of pedophilia & sexual assault. We need our government to protect the innocent, law-abiding citizens of America and stop concerning themselves with the rights of predators.
We need government to do its duty. I am sick of this type of horrible crime being committed on a daily basis throughout this nation. What the hell is the matter with the USA that we are unable to protect our own children? It’s outrageous.
And folks, WE ARE THE ONES WITH POWER TO CHANGE THIS. We must use the power we have to fix this problem. As American citizens, we have a duty to elect respresentatives who act in our best interest. This is what happens when you don’t get out and vote, or when you do vote, but you elect the wrong candidate. The power to change this country is our own hands, individually, one vote at a time.
How many more children are going to die, how many more will be sexually abused, how many more adults will be victims, before Americans stand up and do their duty?
Hello – been following this thread for the past few days and I have to say that this is the most intelligent forum that I have ever read. I like the fact that everyone is polite and kind. I think that when they mean that sandra was kidnapped moments after the video…
Re: fairestwitness- I really like and agree with your opinions, where would one begin to make a change? aside from voting differently?
As far as video and timing of her death, I read that abc article and sorry, the writer sounds like she was merely engaging in a Nancy Grace embellishment add dramatic effect type of reporting.
Official report we got from LE was “shortly after” that video. Some people would interpret “short time” as moments. Many moments, but still moments.
We also know she was killed in church so there had to be many moments there. It was not immediate, but shortly thereafter.
ShadowCircus, Thank you for your support. First & foremost — stop sending lawyers to represent us in state legislatures and the US Congress. You need lawyers to represent you in court or for legal matters, we don’t need every single politician to hold a law degree. We need more doctors, dentists, accountants, business owners, bricklayers, plumbers, auto workers, —- NORMAL AMERICANS, in our government. Term limits would be keey to making this happen. No more career lawyer-politicians. All they protect is the legal profession. Every time they pass a new law, it gives some other bitcher the right to sue and it further erodes our liberties and our personal responsibilities.
sweatpea, right we know have reason to believe Sandra did go to MH’s house twice. From Tracy Press: The 18 seconds of surveillance footage that shows Sandra playfully skipping by her family’s home show her on her way back to Huckaby’s home after leaving that other friend’s house, Huckaby said.
Remember timing was Sandra kissed Mom, left to go to MH’s house, turned away, supposedly went to another friend’s house and vanished.
From this article, we now know: Ms Huckaby is admitting Sandra was on her way back to her home during that footage meaning Sandra actually went back to Huckaby’s home.
That footage was not her leaving the house the first time so by MH admitting it was “after Sandra went to the other friend’s house” MH admits Sandra was on her way to her house during the time period when the rest of us thought she “vanished.”
Cops cited inconsistencies in this article as part of the reason they called her back in. I’m thinking that was part of it. She never disclosed Sandra came to her house twice. Now admitting she did.
To Pat:
The definition of kidnapping differs from state to state and federally — but the key is moving or transporting the victim. As I explained, that can be a movement of mere feet. Holding a person against their will is unlawful restraint, unlawful imprisonment, etc.– this is called different things in different states and in different circumstances. But the point is — kidnapping always means moving or transporting the victim. It does not always involve being against the person’s will either. For example, in many cases of kidnapping teens, they have been lured and are going along willingly. It is the perception of the victim that makes it kidnapping, but the action by the perpetrator.
Sorry — this is what being a lawyer does to ya! Can’t help it!! But it is these details that will be picked apart in the trial in this case. The prosecution will likely say that Melissa kidnapped Sandra by bringing her into the house or to drug her. And her lawyers will likely say Sandra was there to play. But that will fail, because Melissa already said Sandra came to play and was turned away.
OOPS — i meant to write :
It is NOT the perception by the victim that makes it kidnapping, but the action of the perpetrator.
In other words, a person can be kidnapped without even knowing they are being kidnapped. The victim might think she is being invited into someone’s home to play, being invited to dinner, taken camping, etc. If the victim is being transported by the perpetrator for criminal purposes, it is kidnap. If the victim is transported over state lines, it becomes federal kidnap.