SANDRA CANTU CASE: SOURCES- LAWLESS RELATIVE ARRESTED ON SEX CHARGES
BREAKING NEWS
Folsom, CA– As Melissa Huckaby awaits her arraignment in court this afternoon in San Joaquin County, Blinkoncrime.com has discovered the arrest last week of Timothy John Lawless, a relative to Huckaby and the Lawless family. Folsom Police Department verified this afternoon Lawless was arrested on April 15.
Timothy Lawless was arrested on THE EXACT SAME SEX CHARGE AS Huckaby. Lawless is in custody at the Sacramento County Jail under a $1Million Bond, charged with 10 counts of lewd and lacivious acts on a child under 14.
288. (a) Any person who willfully and lewdly commits any lewd or
lascivious act, including any of the acts constituting other crimes
provided for in Part 1, upon or with the body, or any part or member
thereof, of a child who is under the age of 14 years, with the intent
of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions, or
sexual desires of that person or the child, is guilty of a felony and
shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for three,
six, or eight years.
Lawless is also charged with rape with a foreign instrument, but formal charges have not been formalized by the DA. Lawless’s next appearance in court is scheduled for May 14, 2009.
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Blink, what great work DD is doing on Scared Monkeys. I’m not approved yet, but I read it — wow! I want the two of you on my side if I ever get in trouble, for sure!
Your in. and TY
B
I appreciate you weighing in. I have heard the same from other colleagues of his, and I guess yours. I have to be honest, I would strap in, this is going to get worse before it gets better. I spent a great number of years early as an IT Consultant for Fortune 500 Clients- I KNOW what kind of access he had and his capabilities; I would be very interested to know what’s on his computers.
B
If you have heard from other colleagues, it’s not posted here at least not that I’ve seen. Where are their posts? I would know them. I live in Sacramento, work in Folsom. I’ve known Tim for 10 years I know dozens of people who know him. I KNOW what kind of access he had too! I hired him and he was my back up for years…. California Newspaper Publishers Association. I was IT there for 11 years. Look at his resume… we sold part of out business to AP (Associated Press) After I hired him, the company split and he went there…also NICC. There is something very wrong here.
Your correct, I did not post them. I get alot of information and emails from people who know if they seek anonymity, they get it, but they did mirror your experience. I feel sorry for the ripple effect this undoubtedly has on your firm, and perhaps those that were shocked as you say on a personal level. How is everyone coping?
B
You seem interested in finding the truth. I know Tim – it just doesn’t fit. I know a lot that I would rather not post. Too much bias aready. He’s not been convicted of anything. Anyone can be accused of a crime!!
B – I signed up at Monkeys several days ago – heard nothing yet???
Have been following DD et all with awe – Did check on Brian Lawless early on and did see this at CSCB.org:
License Number:
720075
Extract Date: 05/04/2009
Business Information:
BRIAN LAWLESS
320 N ORANGE STREET
LA HABRA, CA 90631
Business Phone Number: (310) XXX-XXXX
Entity:
Sole Ownership
Issue Date:
03/14/1996
Expire Date:
03/31/2002
License Status:
This license is expired and not able to contract at this time.
Classifications:
Class Description
C20
WARM-AIR HEATING, VENTILATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING
Workers’ Compensation:
There was no workers comp information found for this license.
Hope this helps – hope your feeling better.
R
ty, check your e
B
oops – that is http://www.CSLB.org
R
blink-
i just found this tonight and it was written 5/2. don’t know how true but what the hey http://www.bloggernews.net/120720.
the first church of god in clarkston, wa was searched by the FBI and is where gramps lawless used to preach.
take a look.
i have my moments..sorry blink ya already knew. oops
Coolio, its’s all good in our hood. lol
B
Oh, that email! :>)
TY
Blink-
Seems like forever ago, but early on there was much speculation regarding accidental death by overdose (myself included). I was trying
to remember exactly how I came to that conclusion, but I can not remember if I ever actually heard that Melissa herself said she had given Sandra drugs or if it was all speculation due to the January child.
Since the autopsy is sealed I’m sure I did not get the information there. Do you know if it was ever verified that she was given drugs or was it just wishful thinking that little Sandra was unaware of what was taking place.
The autopsy was sealed, I believe it was speculation Sandra was drugged, but I personally believe she was.
B
The FBI and probably local law enforcement have so much information available to them. They have access and can check every telephone number calling in and calls out on cell phones and land lines. They can tie these people together easily. On top of that – the computers !
I’m hoping the press will be at Timothy Lawless court hearing on May 14th. This is not too far away. I’m looking forward to seeing the synopsis of the genealogical study done by those excellent researchers on SM. What determination !
What happened to Ms. Slator (Tieken) connection to Timothy’s mother and the comment that Ms. Slater took Sandra bowling ? Two different spellings and is this absolutely a dead end ?
Kidnap Survivor Severely Hurt In Vallejo CrashVALLEJO (CBS13) ―
She survived being kidnapped by a killer as an 8-year-old and helped in the search for little Sandra Cantu, now 16-year-old Midsi Sanchez is recovering from severe injuries in a hospital after a horrific accident overnight that also hurt three other women.
The now-16 year-old Sanchez was eight when she was abducted from her home in Vallejo by Curtis Dean Anderson. She escaped three days later.
Sanchez was one of four people hurt overnight in Vallejo when a truck they were traveling in lost control and flipped several times and ended up on an embankment. Midsi was a passenger in the truck and was ejected in the crash. She was taken by helicopter to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. The Mercury News is reporting that Midsi is suffering from a broken neck and a punctured lung.
Two other passengers, both 20, were able to get out on their own and were taken to a hospital in Vallejo. The driver who is also 20 was trapped in the truck for 30 minutes before crews could get her out. Vallejo Police say it appears the driver of the truck was intoxicated.
Midsi survived her own kidnapping ordeal back in 2000 when she was kidnapped by Curtis Dean Anderson. 8-year-old Midsi was shackled to the front seat of Anderson’s car for two days and managed to escape by getting hold of the keys, flagging down a passing truck and diving through the open window.
Anderson was later convicted in Midsi’s kidnapping and also pleaded guilty to the 1999 kidnapping, molestation and murder of 7-year-old Xiana Fairchild.
Midsi helped post flyers in March after 8-year-old Sandra Cantu went missing in Tracy. Midsi had been eating at a fast-food restaurant in Tracy when she heard about Sandra and said she felt compelled to help.
http://ow.ly/4Hb3
I called the below asking if anyone could email a card or message to Midsi. The operator told me she was in neo intensive care and would not be able to accept any messages at the present time. She thought it would be a while before she was released to a private room – does not sound good.
John Muir Medical Center,
Walnut Creek Campus
1601 Ygnacio Valley Rd.
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
(925) 939-3000
Midsi Sanchez
http://www.geocities.com/littlemissingangels/Midsi
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/examiner/archive/2000/08/13/NEWS1416.dtl
http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=100020825&docId=l:949860712&start=10
Xiana Fairchild: Prepare to vomit:
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-22346.html
Just wanted to update as I spoke to Mary, who is Midsi’s legal guardian, on Saturday. Midsi is in ICU as she has a broken neck and collapsed lung. She was coherent and talking Saturday, but very tired and in a lot of pain. She was also able to move her fingers and toes. They won’t know more until they’ve spoken with the neurosurgeon. I’m waiting to hear back from her on what he says. She will survive but they expect a long recovery and as of yet don’t know about paralysis. But the good news is that she was able to move fingers/toes.
Midsi is an amazing young woman and has come through a lot in her life. She will come through this too but she needs all the prayers she can get…………..please keep her in your thoughts! Thanks!
TracyMom – thanks – do you know how where I could mail a card to her ? The hospital – even without a room number? Do you know Tracygirl? Please keep us updated on Mitsi’s progress.
Hi Sacsayhuan – I’m not sure who Tracygirl is……
I just left a message for Mary to check up on Midsi but her phone went straight to vm so I’m assuming she’s at the hospital and not getting good reception. I would hold off sending anything to the hospital right now, since she’s in ICU they wouldn’t put it through anyway……..but I will update with an address to send cards and whatnot when she calls me back. And I’ll update on how she’s doing too….. ;o)
Hi Blink,
I don’t mean to be a buggaboo, but I signed up at SM about a week ago and haven’t heard back. Could you look into it?
TIA!
i just read Midsi’s story and am now crying. Oh lord, our children…
pray for justice for Sandra and the Cantu family, and can we all please put a white light around Midsi and keep her in our thoughts and prayers.
Many people have suggested that MH accidentally killed SC and even MH stated so herself, but I am wondering why did she have the suitcase in the first place if she hadn’t preplanned the murder? Just wondering.
UPDATE ON MIDSI SANCHEZ:
Hi All,
I just got off the phone with Mary and wanted to update and let you all know that Midsi is going in for surgery this morning at 10:30 to repair her broken neck. It will be a 5 hour (minimum) surgery, then she’ll be in recovery for another 3 hours. She’ll then go back to ICU for at least 24 hours. PLEASE say a prayer for Midsi and her family today.
Also for those who have asked about sending cards, etc. I do have a mailing address, as sending things to the hospital right now isn’t recommended (because she’s in ICU).
The address is:
974 Benicia Road
Vallejo, CA 94591
c/o Midsi Sanchez
I should hear from Mary this evening about how Midsi did in surgery and the outcome and will update when I hear more……..
Thanks for all who have been keeping Midsi in your thoughts and prayers!
—-Too many loose foreign objects floating around Tracy in my
opinion. Pretty soon there weren’t be enough judges to
issue enough gag orders to cover them up.
“Grand jury decision sealed in Tracy doctor accused of inappropriately touching patients
By Mike Martinez
San Joaquin Herald
Posted: 05/05/2009 04:29:33 PM PDT
Updated: 05/06/2009 06:15:47 AM PDT
STOCKTON — A San Joaquin County grand jury has handed down a decision in the case of a Tracy doctor who’s been accused of inappropriately touching dozens of patients, some while they were unconscious.
However, the decision, reached Tuesday after a weeklong investigation, has been sealed by a court order and isn’t going to be opened until Dr. Peter Chi’s next court appearance, which is more than a month away. Chi, 46, of Livermore, faces 64 felonies — 48 counts of sexual battery by fraud, 15 counts of sexual penetration with a foreign object and one count of a lewd act upon a child, according to an amended complaint filed in April by the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office.
In many of the cases the patients — who live in San Joaquin County and around the Bay Area — were under varying amounts of anesthesia when the abuse allegedly occurred, according to court records.
Chi is currently free after posting bail of $500,000 during his last court hearing. As currently charged, Chi faces 87 years in prison and would have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life if convicted.
Deputy District Attorney Michael Rasmussen, the prosecutor who presented the case to the grand jury, was unavailable for comment. A judge has issued a gag order in the case, preventing involved parties from making public comments.
Chi is scheduled to return to court on June 17.
hi is scheduled to return to court on June 17.
Attorneys have said criminal grand jury proceedings are rare in San Joaquin County, but Chi’s was the second in as many months, and there is already speculation that one might be convened in the case of Tracy resident Melissa Huckaby, who is accused of murdering 8-year-old Sandra Cantu.If Chi is indicted, his criminal complaint would be dismissed and he would be arraigned on the charges brought by the grand jury, which could hover around 80 counts, sources said.
Several of Chi’s former patients and Tracy police officers were among those who testified in the proceedings, which began last week, sources said.
Chi has been under investigation since September 2007, after one patient reported being abused, but there wasn’t enough evidence to proceed in that case, police said.
Chi originally was charged with seven counts of sexual battery by fraud, one count of sexual battery and three counts of rape with a foreign object in a complaint filed in February. He originally was charged with molesting eight patients, but the number swelled to 36 after word of the accusations surfaced.
Investigators served search warrants and seized evidence from the Tracy office, additional medical offices in the 700 block of West Emerson Avenue and Chi’s home in the 700 block of Vinci Way in Livermore. His Web site also lists an office address in Stockton.
Neither of Chi’s offices, in Tracy and Stockton, were accredited for outpatient surgery, according to a complaint filed by the Medical Board of California in bid to revoke his medical license.
Reach Mike Martinez at 209-832-3947 or mike.martinez@bayareanewsgroup.com.”
http://www.contracostatimes.com/localnews/ci_12301187
So – Are you implying that everyone that has a suitcase is pre-planning a murder?
What is going on in this area of CA ???? Some sort of drugs – lack of consciousness or what ?????
Accused molester could face criminal grand jury by Justin Lafferty
May 06, 2009 Tracy Press
As prosecutors ponder convening a criminal grand jury, the attorney of a former Tracy substitute teacher accused of child molestation asked if some evidence taken during the investigation could be returned.
Deborah Fialkowski, representing Jessie Llorente III, the Kelly School teacher who was arrested in March, said a digital camera that was taken as evidence has pictures that her client’s mother would like back.
Fialkowski said Llorente’s mother, a kindergarten teacher, said that there are pictures on the camera’s memory card of her students and that she wants them returned for a school project. The request came during a five-minute hearing this morning at the Manteca courthouse.
“At the end of the year, they give each child a CD of things they did at Halloween and Valentine’s Day and things of that nature,” Fialkowski told Judge Ron Northup. “She would like to have at least the SIM card or something so she can prepare these for her children.”
Northup asked prosecutor Elton Grau if he was open to letting Llorente’s mother have at least a copy of the pictures. Grau said that he doesn’t exactly know how valuable the pictures are in regards to the case quite yet, declining to release them now. He’ll take a closer look at the pictures later, he said.
Later, Fialkowski said that the family’s laptop and other miscellaneous items were also taken in the course of the investigation.
In the hearing, Fialkowski asked that the preliminary hearing, originally scheduled for today, be moved to 8:30 a.m. June 2 in Manteca. She said that Grau intended to bring the case in front of a grand jury later this month, a claim Grau would not talk about.
Grau and Llorente agreed to the new date. Llorente said nothing else throughout the hearing but “Yes, sir,” to Northup’s question about the rescheduling.
Northup maintained bail at $1 million.
Llorente, who was arrested March 19, is in custody at San Joaquin County Jail at French Camp. The Tracy High alumnus faces 10 felony counts of lewd acts with a child, three misdemeanor counts of child molestation and one count of possessing child pornography. Tracy police, at the time of the arrest, said that he admitted to getting aroused when touching the hair and shoulders of girls he taught. They said he also admitted to possessing child pornography.
At Llorente’s last arraignment hearing, April 14, he pleaded not guilty.
•Contact Tracy Press reporter Justin Lafferty at 830-4269 or jlafferty@tracypress.com.
Regarding the charge of rape with a foreign object, it is my understanding from reading the California statutes/penal codes that a “foreign object” could include anything from a finger, toe, tongue, etc. Does anyone know if that is indeed the correct definition? Not that it really changes anything, I am just thinking it would then make more sense that MH accidently killed Sandra with a drug overdose. There has been some speculation that she may have died from internal injuries sustained during the rape.
Some of the possible public outrage that could happen if the gag order was lifted may be directed toward LE if the toxicology reports show the same drugs in Sandra that were in the 7-yo girl MH drugged in January.
With respect to rebel….
I have many suitcases and certainly have no nefarious intent in regards to the use of any of them.
The body of a raped and deceased small child will never be found floating in a stench filled pond in any suitcase that belongs to me.What were the real intentions of the suitcase Melissa Huckaby had in HER possession ?We shall see the lawyers go toe to toe on that one.
Melissa is where she is because of evidence recovered by local LE and FBI.Maybe even her own words to LE.
Some of which have been made known to the public and some (I would expect) we do not know yet.Some things according to a judge to horrible for us to know.
This I feel certain of…By Melissa’s own admission it was her suitcase and Sandra Cantu was found dead inside it.
Radiogirl, thank you for your comment. I thought my comment was obvious enough as to what I meant by that. Of course, I’m wondering what her excuse is for taking the suitcase with her if the murder was an accident…I don’t haul a suitcase around with me just in case I happen to “need” it. Do you, rebel?
Tracy Mom – have you heard anything else? She is in my prayers.
Hey Reb – I have been reading your ding a ling posts with a cautious eye. Just not intelligent or even cute, to twist that question so way out of context.
But perhaps to give you benefit of the doubt a couple of better question(s) might be asked:
1) if MH offered to LE that she left her suitcase on the driveway while she looked for her keys – and then used a spare key to drive away to the church and grandma called to tell her she found the keys but not the suitcase yada yada yada – then – Is grandma in on the abduction? LE would have routinely followed up MH’s story for corroboration. Grandma either did or didnt corroborate that story.
2) How did she get let in to the church if she had only a spare? MR FW has been seen letting Grandpa the pastor and LE into the church already – and it seems he is the one with the key.
3) As already, and in detail pointed out by Blink and others – MR FW screwed the pooch on his explanation of the “stolen suitcase” – First – saying it was destined for a rummage sale that never existed (refuted by Grandma) and then saying the “stolen suitcase” was the one Sandra was found in, before that fact was disclosed.
Come on dude – I am barely scratching the surface – there is enough gaps and questions in this investigation that only someone with an ulterior agenda could not, would not – or does not want any of the rest of us to see the truth. Sorry, to late.
Maybe Sandra was already dead at the Church and MH returned to her home to retrieve the suitcase and then made up the story about leaving it outside. When I read the story for the first time – I felt, MH thought someone would finally find the suitcase and she wanted to put the blame on someone other than herself. She didn’t have a key to the Church either. I wonder how accurate the autopsy can reveal the time and place of death. The story about withholding the autopsy report “because the public would be outraged” is lame. I’m thinking they are withholding info to gather more info and partners in crime.
PENAL CODE
SECTION 281-294
# 289 K (2)
“Foreign object, substance, instrument, or device” shall include any part of the body, except a sexual organ.
http://law.justia.com/california/codes/pen/281-294.html
Look at for future reference of charges:
http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/registration/offenses.htm
IMO- Melissa Huckaby suffers from some form of mental illness.
Now that she is in custody. One of two things are happening. She is receiving no medication and if that were the case she would be whether delusional at this point. But I am leaning more towards scenario number two. At the time of her arrest she was already being evaluated by court appointed doctors for mental issues, and had been administered medication for these issues. She appeared much more calm and giddy at the second appearance with the judge. If she is receiving medication for her mental problems, she is singing like a bird to the interrogators. Most medications given to patients with mental illness, is like a downer, makes them somewhat lithargic so that they don’t become aggitated, another side effect is she would definately not be able to hold up under interogation of a trained professional.
Somewhat like a truth serum, not 100% but close.
I hear you Sacsayhaun….With a number of people to associate with in the MHP(there are good folks who reside there as well obviously) it is quite telling those of a criminal element were in MHs circle. And I,m not talking parking tickets or littering.
With the recent arrests of persons charged with crimes against children at or near the date of Hucksbys arrest,I too am open to the involvement of others in some way with MH.
The lead detective Sheneman said there was no involvement of others in this particular case and I accept that.That statement from him does not negate involvement of others with MH in other child crimes.
If the FBI is still involved,that is interesting and I’ll be anxious to see that part of the case if and when made available. Have a great Friday all
Sister – I have not heard from Mary yet. Although her surgery was yesterday she didn’t think she’d be able to see Midsi until much later in the evening. Especially if the surgery lasted longer than the estimated time of 5 hours and then 3 hours in recovery. I’m hoping to hear from her today or possibly Saturday. I’ll let you know when I’ve heard more.
Thanks for keeping her in your prayers!
Here is my husband’s theory;
He feels that the mind is a fragile thing and that there are organized (so-called) religions that utilize forms of hypnosis to manipulate and control their congregations. Pastor Lawless is probably a master at hypnosis and mind control. Someone like Melissa who was in a consent “Damnation type of eviroment” her entire life would have done anything thing under that type of mind control and probably would not even remember it. This may be why Pastor Lawless is not allowed to see Melissa.
sweetpea – I agree that MH is suffering some kind of mental illess but do not believe they are withholding meds while she’s in jail. I believe she probably suffers from depression, anxiety and possibly OCD or something like that. None of those would make her delusional or an “easy target” for investigators. If you listen to her interviews you can hear she’s quite articluate. Not like someone who doesn’t know what she’s saying. I just think she tripped herself up. The meds wouldn’t make her more likely to “sing like a bird” as they aren’t giving her sodium pentathol and to my knowledge that is the only medication that has that side effect. Anti-depression, anti-anxiety meds don’t have that effect. At the first arraignment she appeared drugged and lethargic and I think they may have given her something stronger but as she continues to take those drugs she will appear less lethargic/drugged and they will alter her mood, which is why I think we saw a change in her demeanor at the second court appearance.
sweetpea – I don’t know about your husbands theory or whether he’s correct in that theory. I’m sure anything is possible. I don’t feel he hypnotized MH to hurt Sandra and I don’t even know how much of that I believe in.
I do think, however, a more plausible explanation for his not visiting MH in jail is that he was still being investigated (as later revealed when they announced they were investigatig the church in WA)by the FBI. Also he did publically say he would not be visiting her in jail. Not to say I don’t believe others are involved,including Grandpa Lawless. I think there is SO much more to this case and this family – and we are only scratching the surface………
Blink: Do you know if these court dates for Tim Lawless are open to the public? If so, I think I will attend. I also sent Tim a letter this week.
Next Court Date 05/14/09 at 08:30 AM
Yes, it is. I would avise you to check the night before if it has been moved, he did not have an attorney on his docket the last time I checked.
Refresh my memory, are you the work colleague?
B
Yes, I used to work with him back in the early 90′s.
Blink, I also plan on attending. I saw Shorty’s post and concur, be sure and check the night before to see if anything has changed. It is currently set for Dept 63 at the Main Jail (first floor) NOT at the Court House. This is suppose to be a Settlement Conference, which as I understand it is an attempt to reach an agreement and avoid a trial (plea bargain???) I’ve not attended a proceeding at the jail before, but assume it is open to the public.
If it is a settlement conf as you say it is private. In general that is never presented to the court until it’s complete, and is held at the jail given his bond status. I will check on this over the weekend. FWIW, I do expect him to plea.
B
Also, I believe he had a Public Defender appointed on 4/17 according to the court documents.
Yes, for his arraignment, but that does not formally enter the docket necessarily, especially if he is interviewing other counsel; however, it may turn out to be him, we’ll see
B
Settlement Conf
https://services.saccourt.com/indexsearchnew/CaseNumberList.aspx?SearchValues=LAWLESS,TIMOTHY,JOHN,4417503
Thanks for posting that marella. I was wondering if anyone noted that there were 2 continued settlement conferences scheduled for 4/23 ( the day before Huckaby arraignment) and then 4/24, the morning O F / P R I O R to her arraignment. Those conferences were scheduled last minute. No co ink y dink.. Just sayin..
B
Tracymom-
As stated I feel that scenario #2 is more likely, I do NOT think that LE would withhold medication from Melissa Huckaby.
Melissa was under the supervision of doctors at the time of her arrest.
But I do not agree that she is simply suffering from depression, anxiety, or OCD. I listened to the interview with her ex-husband and he stated that he did not even recognise the woman that walked into the court room.
Mental illness is not to be confused with mental retardation. I compare that philosophy to people who speak loudly to a blind person.
Most mentally ill people have worked very hard to hide their illness for a long period of time and are very good at sounding rational. But once they get to the point that they are in the court system and taking medication it becomes much more difficult.
I am very confident that her mental disorder will be a very big part of her defense. Not trying to imply that she is not guilty of a horrific crime, but I think most people will agree that her defense will be playing the mental illness card.
“The story about withholding the autopsy report “because the public would be outraged” is lame. I’m thinking they are withholding info to gather more info and partners in crime.”
Exactly.
If Melissa Huckaby committed this crime she had assistance.
I agree; this crime is part of a bigger cycle of abuse and other, imo.
B
“Pastor Lawless is probably a master at hypnosis and mind control.”
“Pastor” Lawless is a strange character. Has nobody else noticed his inappropriate demeanor, remarks and grins? I caught him acting smug twice now. What is he smug about? His granddaughter is in jail and possibly facing the death penalty. He should NOT be responding in that manner.
I commented early that he is a “skulker”. He is waiting for the shoe to fall, imo.
B
I recall from the first arraingment-just before adjournment the first (female) public defender asked something about her medication(s)- continue to be administered or something along those lines – cant remember exactly ??? But I am sure one of you will remember and it shouldnt be to hard to find.
It seems that if she was prescribed medication prior to her arrest and/or was under the care of a doctor and/or psychiatrist, psychologist or counselor – all that would be continued while incarcerated.
And I agree, she is most likely cooperating – on other, broader crimes/issues under investigation to get the best possible outcome of her own predicament.
I don’t believe Tim Lawless is related to Melissa Huckaby or that particular Lawless family. Guilt by association..no! But they are not related!
‘Most terrible day in our lives’
Tracy man, his wife heartbroken by his discovery of suitcase with Sandra Cantu’s body inside
By Jennie Rodriguez
Stockton Record Staff Writer
May 08, 2009 6:00 AM
TRACY – Jose Luis Franco wasn’t prepared for what surfaced in the irrigation pond he drained the morning of April 6 at Bachetti & Silva Dairy Farms.
Franco was enjoying the sunny day when he emptied the ditch surrounded by miles of grassy fields just north of the Tracy Boulevard exit off Interstate 205. Until he discovered the suitcase.
Franco, a dairy farm worker and father of four, had been praying for Sandra Cantu, the little girl he’d never met but whose face had become well-known to strangers across California.
Like many in Tracy, Franco and his family had hungered for information about the skipping 8-year-old girl who disappeared March 27 from Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park, about a mile south of Franco’s duplex.
Franco tried pulling the suitcase out of the water, but it was too heavy. Well aware of the massive search effort that received nationwide attention, Franco had a feeling about the suitcase and what it contained. He hoped his gut was wrong.
“I felt like someone had spilled cold water on me. A chill in my body. I thought, ‘Could this be the little girl?’ ” Franco said in Spanish.
“It was something terrible. The most terrible day in our lives,” recalled Margarita Franco, Jose Franco’s wife.
When Jose Franco couldn’t lift the luggage, he notified his supervisor, who called police. Then, Jose Franco called his wife.
Margarita Franco had concerns of her own that day. Her children have attended Delta Island Elementary School, a campus with mostly migrant children, and a place that parents call more than a school. It’s a community center. But the Tracy Unified School District, facing severe budget shortfalls, had decided to close the school – among the smallest in attendance and the most expensive per pupil to operate.
So Margarita Franco and several other parents were on a bus, touring area charter schools. She was focused on the needs of her children and whether she and other parents might be able to start a charter school.
After the call from her husband, 34-year-old Margarita Franco’s thoughts were scattered. “We wanted to believe there was anything else in there but the body of a little girl,” she said.
She returned home around 3 p.m. Jose Franco returned from work just after 5 p.m. The couple watched television news coverage for updates on the suitcase, but police had said nothing publicly throughout the day. A fear gnawed at them.
“I was nervous, because I was thinking about the girl. I wanted to know if she was in there,” Jose Franco said.
“He didn’t eat that day,” Margarito Franco said of her husband.
At 8:50 that night, police announced the sad news. The intense search was over, and Jose Franco’s worst fears had been realized.
On April 10, police arrested 28-year-old Melissa Huckaby, a Sunday school teacher at a church near the mobile home park and the mother of one of Sandra’s friends.
Huckaby is being charged with murder and three special circumstances of kidnapping, rape with an instrument and lewd and lascivious acts on a child younger than 14.
Jose Franco has worked on the farm for 11 years, providing for his family and trying to create a better future for them.
The Carole Sund/Carrington Memorial Reward Foundation had offered a $21,643 reward for the tip that would lead to finding Sandra. When her body was found, Tracy police initially said no one would receive the reward; they’d hoped she would be found alive. But on Thursday, police said that, after further discussion with the foundation, Jose Franco would receive the reward.
Sgt. Tony Sheneman, a Tracy police spokesman, told reporters that the farm worker was reluctant at first and asked that the reward money be given to Sandra’s family. But that’s not the organization’s policy, so the money went to him, said Scott Webb, director of the foundation.
Webb said the foundation has given Sandra’s family more than $8,000, which was donated by people across the nation. Tracy Crime Stoppers also raised $10,000 for the family.
The Tracy Police Department had called a news conference to present the farm worker with the reward money.
Jose Franco decided a half-hour before the public event to accept the money in private. He wanted to avoid media attention.
“We gave some interviews,” Margarita Franco said in Spanish while her husband was at work on Thursday. “We thought that’s when (the media attention) would end.”
The Francos are from Jalisco, Mexico, but immigrated to work in Tracy in the mid-1990s.
Margarita Franco said she and her husband are in the process of becoming legal residents, but their four children – Alondra, 3; Jorge, 5; Maria, 8; and Miguel, 11 – are U.S. citizens, all having been born in Tracy.
The parents plan to use the reward money to set up college funds for their children.
They also have become more protective. “We don’t even let them play outside anymore,” Margarita Franco said.
As she cooked lunch Thursday, Margarita Franco said the family is trying to move on with normal life, but they have forever been touched by Sandra.
“We are content because the money will help us, but we are heartbroken because what happened is something very depressing,” Margarita Franco said.
“Do you believe a person who has found a human being dead will ever be the same?”
Contact reporter Jennie Rodriguez at (209) 943-8564 or jrodriguez@recordnet.com.
Blink, I believe you are correct. Settlement Conferences are always private and include only those parties directly involved. Although the Court room is public, this proceeding will undoubtedly be held in a private area. Yes, I certainly noticed the two prior continued SC. I chalked it up to the Defense not being prepared.
KCRA is reporting on their website that Maria Chavez, Cantu’s mother, wants to move away from the mobile home park because memories of her daughter and the events that took place at the park are too much to bear. They also state in the story “Police said Huckaby acted alone, but many residents still expect another arrest or even two.” http://www.kcra.com/news/19411388/detail.html
“I commented early that he is a “skulker”. He is waiting for the shoe to fall, imo.”
I agree.
They’re still looking at creepy grandpa. That Harris guy admitted as much when he stated that they aren’t going to find anything.
I too, along with some posters, find the Pastors distance from MH at this critical time in their family history…curious.
There are reasons that concern me…
1) He is her Grandfather and since apparently other family members proclaim her innocence and are speaking to her good nature,why not just be there for the simple fact it’s his grandchild innocent or not.
Pastor Lawless has many decades of ministerial service according to his personal history on the clover church website.This would arm him so to speak ,to be of support for MH and family.Even if he thought she was indeed guilty,Pastors are often on the front lines of ministering to the most heinous of criminals.So why not call on his skills as a Pastor and love of grandfather for MH who even lived with Pastor Lawless and Connie and “taught” Sunday school in the family church.
Of course his failing health which has been reported in the media could be a factor.So for fairness sake I will leave that for discussion as well.Thanks for this interesting website.I enjoy reading the posts.RG