Sandra Cantu #3 4/15/09 -4/27/09

[klaasend]

http://www.kcra.com/news/19185819/detail.html

Report: Tracy Murder Suspect Tried Suicide
Woman Accused Of Killing Sandra Cantu

POSTED: 5:57 am PDT April 15, 2009
UPDATED: 8:59 am PDT April 15, 2009


TRACY, Calif. -- The woman accused of killing 8-year-old Tracy resident Sandra Cantu tried to take her own life just days before she was arrested, a news organization says.



Melissa Huckaby, who is accused of killing Sandra Cantu, wept in a Stockton courtroom on Tuesday.
 

Melissa Huckaby, 28, swallowed razor blades in a suicide attempt, CBS reported.

Meanwhile, Tracy police are searching for any other possible victims of Huckaby, who served as a Sunday school teacher at Clover Road Baptist Church.

Any parent who suspects their children may have had "inappropriate contact" with Huckaby are being asked to contact authorities, Sgt. Tony Sheneman said.

Officers served two search warrants Tuesday -- one at the church and another at her home in the nearby Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park.

Police did not say what they were looking for, but KCRA 3 confirmed through sources close to the investigation that officers were looking for evidence related to a note related to a note Huckaby said she found at her mailbox the day after Cantu disappeared. A source said the note contained the words "Cantu," "water" and "suitcase."

A source also said Huckaby admitted to investigators that Cantu's death was an accident.

Cantu's body was found April 6 in a suitcase in an irrigation pond north of Tracy. The girl disappeared on March 27 from Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park, where she lived with her family.

A sobbing Huckaby did not enter a plea when she faced a judge in a Stockton courtroom Tuesday. A public defender was assigned to Huckaby. Her next court appearance is April 24.

She continued to cry as Judge Richard Vlavianos read the charges: one count of murder with the special circumstances of rape with a foreign object, lewd or lascivious conduct with a child under 14 and murder in the course of a kidnapping.

The special circumstances in a complaint filed Tuesday makes Huckaby eligible for the death penalty if prosecutors choose to pursue that option.

Fry Memorial Chapel in Tracy is handling funeral arrangements for Cantu.

A public memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Merrill F. West High School gym, which seats about 2,500 people. Burial will be private.

Anyone wishing to reach Cantu's family may route condolences to the Tracy Police Department, which has assigned a liaison to work with relatives. Those wishing to make donations of money in the girl's memory are being asked to contact the Carole Sund/Carrington Foundation.

[klaasend]

http://cbs5.com/crime/Melissa.Huckaby.suicide.2.985418.html

15, 2009 8:24 am US/Pacific

Huckaby Swallowed Knife Blades Before Arrest
 
The Sunday school teacher accused with raping and murdering an 8-year-old Tracy girl attempted suicide days before her arrest in the case, CBS News has learned.

Melissa Huckaby was hospitalized after swallowing three X-Acto knife blades, reports CBS News correspondent John Blackstone. She remained under suicide watch after being formally charged Tuesday with kidnapping, raping and murdering her daughter's playmate, Sandra Cantu.

Huckaby was formally charged by prosecutors Tuesday with murder, kidnapping and special circumstances of rape with a foreign object and lewd and lascivious conduct involving a child.

Hours later, authorities again served search warrants at Huckaby's home and the church where she taught Sunday school. Tracy police Sgt. Tony Sheneman confirmed the evening searches, but would not discuss what evidence officers had found or were looking for.

On Tuesday afternoon, Huckaby stood in court wearing a red jail jumpsuit as Judge Richard A. Vlavi read the charges to her. She cried during the proceedings,  prompting public defender Ellen Schwarzenberg put her arm on Huckaby's back -- carressing it as if to calm her down.
 (snipped)

[pink angel]

She wasn't working at any job. I am betting she was on disability due to whatever mental illness she was suffering from.

[Tracygirl]

She needs to pay for what she did, there is no doubt about it. Everyone has choices, everyone has skeletons in their closets. I have literally been so upset at my ex I had to control myself as to not throw something at him. I found that control, as do millions of other people and we stopped from doing something that would harm another person.

I don't get pedophilia at all. I don't understand why someone would want to do this to a child or get turned on by seeing a child. It is so un-natural, especially for a woman. We are wired to care and protect children, not to do this. I have read so many times an abuser was once a victim, why? Not why they turn to abuse, that is basic psychology, but why do they not get the help they need to not turn into abusers. This doesn't happen to all victims though, many turn that pain of being victimized into advocating. So why some vicitms become abusers and others, not? That is the million dollar question I think.     

I do not condone what she did, not for one second, however if it is found out she herself is a victim of molestation I find it sad. She obviously didn't get the help needed to recover from her ordeal and if her family knew about it but choose to ignore it, they are somewhat responsible for what happened to Sandra. So too, if the parents/family knew about a mental illness so serious she would kill and rape a child yet they did what so many parents/family do, choose to ignore it, look past it, make excuses for it, I hope each one feels the guilt of this child's death for the rest of their lives.

Is it ok to ask, if it is found MH is a victim of sexual abuse, will that change the way you feel about this case and about her?

[Tracygirl]

http://cbs5.com/crime/Melissa.Huckaby.suicide.2.985418.html

15, 2009 8:24 am US/Pacific

Huckaby Swallowed Knife Blades Before Arrest
 
The Sunday school teacher accused with raping and murdering an 8-year-old Tracy girl attempted suicide days before her arrest in the case, CBS News has learned.

Melissa Huckaby was hospitalized after swallowing three X-Acto knife blades, reports CBS News correspondent John Blackstone. She remained under suicide watch after being formally charged Tuesday with kidnapping, raping and murdering her daughter's playmate, Sandra Cantu.

Huckaby was formally charged by prosecutors Tuesday with murder, kidnapping and special circumstances of rape with a foreign object and lewd and lascivious conduct involving a child.

Hours later, authorities again served search warrants at Huckaby's home and the church where she taught Sunday school. Tracy police Sgt. Tony Sheneman confirmed the evening searches, but would not discuss what evidence officers had found or were looking for.

On Tuesday afternoon, Huckaby stood in court wearing a red jail jumpsuit as Judge Richard A. Vlavi read the charges to her. She cried during the proceedings,  prompting public defender Ellen Schwarzenberg put her arm on Huckaby's back -- carressing it as if to calm her down.
 (snipped)

It is said, a person who tries to kill themselves in a violent or painful way is angry with themselves. As opposed to a person who takes pills and quietly falls asleep would be angry at others.

[danabar]

Welcome MunkeyMunk and all other new monkeys.  You have come to the right place.  These monkeys are great!  I love it here.

[Wyks]

Wow Wyks, that fish story is something, a faster sense of peace  I'm even wondering if this case will be plead out?

Yeah, that's for sure. 

I'm kind of hoping, along with some others in here,  that *if* there were others involved, that Melissa will be allowed to take a plea bargain, in exchange for the names of who ALL of those others are, and what all of them may have done.  Could be the big break that LE has been looking for in other cases, etc. plus a prevention of anything else.  IMO she still needs to take the consequences for anything that she may have done herself.  There needs to be swift justice for Sandra.  Yet at the same time making sure that LE has anyone and everyone that may be involved, not just settling for the first one who basically threw herself at them.  IMO.

 
 

[Blink34]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2009/04/14/2009-04-14_death_penalty_considered_for_suspec.html

Huckaby is charged with one count of murder that includes tacked-on "special circumstances" for kidnapping, lewd conduct with a child and rape by a foreign object. The "special circumstances" means prosecutors could seek the death penalty.

If they don't, Huckaby faces life without parole if convicted. Prosecutors did not offer a motive for the shocking crime.

"You could do an entire psychological seminar, write a thesis or spend your entire life trying to figure out a motive here," a source close to the case said, calling it "pointless" to search for an excuse for such sickening behavior.


From me - FCL.
We are not the only ones baffled, PO, and concerned about this.  And if the autopsy comes back with suffocation for the COD that will be the nail on the head for me. We do need to know the motive for this crime so that it can be studied.  To make light of this is a joke when we see it more and more everyday.  So I know some will disagree but for now I will call it what it is ... a sex crime.  JMO

Absolutely, FCL. Agreed. A motive is critical, and will be established, imo. You know why? She cant defend herself without one.
I hate to be so stuck on an issue, but Gramma Connie is the only person professing her innocense. You know, the other person who was at home when this happened-
B

[Izzy58]

I have searched and searched all over the internet for a online scanner for Tracy and there are none, so we may never know if an ambulance was called for Melissa unless someone who has a home scanner heard the call come out and posts it.

[N2WISHN]

She needs to pay for what she did, there is no doubt about it. Everyone has choices, everyone has skeletons in their closets. I have literally been so upset at my ex I had to control myself as to not throw something at him. I found that control, as do millions of other people and we stopped from doing something that would harm another person.

I don't get pedophilia at all. I don't understand why someone would want to do this to a child or get turned on by seeing a child. It is so un-natural, especially for a woman. We are wired to care and protect children, not to do this. I have read so many times an abuser was once a victim, why? Not why they turn to abuse, that is basic psychology, but why do they not get the help they need to not turn into abusers. This doesn't happen to all victims though, many turn that pain of being victimized into advocating. So why some vicitms become abusers and others, not? That is the million dollar question I think.     

I do not condone what she did, not for one second, however if it is found out she herself is a victim of molestation I find it sad. She obviously didn't get the help needed to recover from her ordeal and if her family knew about it but choose to ignore it, they are somewhat responsible for what happened to Sandra. So too, if the parents/family knew about a mental illness so serious she would kill and rape a child yet they did what so many parents/family do, choose to ignore it, look past it, make excuses for it, I hope each one feels the guilt of this child's death for the rest of their lives.

Is it ok to ask, if it is found MH is a victim of sexual abuse, will that change the way you feel about this case and about her?

If she was indeed a victim all I would change is that her abuser would have murdered her, stuffed her in a suitcase and dumped her in a dirty pond. Then maybe Sandra would still be with us.

[Izzy58]

I now wish it would have been the father kidnapping Sandra and taking her to Mexico.....at least then the little girl would have still been alive today.

[leslee]

She needs to pay for what she did, there is no doubt about it. Everyone has choices, everyone has skeletons in their closets. I have literally been so upset at my ex I had to control myself as to not throw something at him. I found that control, as do millions of other people and we stopped from doing something that would harm another person.

I don't get pedophilia at all. I don't understand why someone would want to do this to a child or get turned on by seeing a child. It is so un-natural, especially for a woman. We are wired to care and protect children, not to do this. I have read so many times an abuser was once a victim, why? Not why they turn to abuse, that is basic psychology, but why do they not get the help they need to not turn into abusers. This doesn't happen to all victims though, many turn that pain of being victimized into advocating. So why some vicitms become abusers and others, not? That is the million dollar question I think.     

I do not condone what she did, not for one second, however if it is found out she herself is a victim of molestation I find it sad. She obviously didn't get the help needed to recover from her ordeal and if her family knew about it but choose to ignore it, they are somewhat responsible for what happened to Sandra. So too, if the parents/family knew about a mental illness so serious she would kill and rape a child yet they did what so many parents/family do, choose to ignore it, look past it, make excuses for it, I hope each one feels the guilt of this child's death for the rest of their lives.

Is it ok to ask, if it is found MH is a victim of sexual abuse, will that change the way you feel about this case and about her?

No. Literally over half of America has had a less than ideal childhood. I have no stats to back me up here but as an adult you are responsible for your own actions. You may need help to deal with your past but what happened to YOU shouldn't become anyone elses problem. I find it inexcusable for ANYONE to blame any crime on what happened to THEM as a result of their upbringing. MOO

[flossy]

Blink, are you still around?  I wanted to ask you a question but searched all over your site for an email to send it to and couldn't find one.  I asked Klaas to send you my email the other day, but never got to let you know that I was just wanting to ask you something privately. 

If not, no problem. 

[strayze]

Thanks Maven and Stacey, I just can't get over that someone would swallow razor blades  What gets me is, why would the hospital release her, after an incident like that? You would think they maybe could have done more before they released her, I don't know?

Hospitals are not places for free long term care.  Even if a patient has insurance, hospital stays are short.  In the case of suicide attempts patients are generally stablized and dismissed.

[flossy]

Am I the only one who still has the weird porn ring/cult type of feeling about this one?  I'm not sure if there's been anything new that I don't know about.  (I didn't see anything in this new thread, unless I just missed something!)

[MunkeyMunk]

I too still feel it is porn ring!!!

[Maven]

She needs to pay for what she did, there is no doubt about it. Everyone has choices, everyone has skeletons in their closets. I have literally been so upset at my ex I had to control myself as to not throw something at him. I found that control, as do millions of other people and we stopped from doing something that would harm another person.

I don't get pedophilia at all. I don't understand why someone would want to do this to a child or get turned on by seeing a child. It is so un-natural, especially for a woman. We are wired to care and protect children, not to do this. I have read so many times an abuser was once a victim, why? Not why they turn to abuse, that is basic psychology, but why do they not get the help they need to not turn into abusers. This doesn't happen to all victims though, many turn that pain of being victimized into advocating. So why some vicitms become abusers and others, not? That is the million dollar question I think.     

I do not condone what she did, not for one second, however if it is found out she herself is a victim of molestation I find it sad. She obviously didn't get the help needed to recover from her ordeal and if her family knew about it but choose to ignore it, they are somewhat responsible for what happened to Sandra. So too, if the parents/family knew about a mental illness so serious she would kill and rape a child yet they did what so many parents/family do, choose to ignore it, look past it, make excuses for it, I hope each one feels the guilt of this child's death for the rest of their lives.

Is it ok to ask, if it is found MH is a victim of sexual abuse, will that change the way you feel about this case and about her?

Any abuse in her past would not change my feelings towards her whatsoever. I had so sympathy for her watching her in court yesterday. If she is proven to be abused as a child I certainly feel bad about that, and I can relate to that on a personal level. The major difference is I have never and I would never even think about abusing a child, I got chills just hearing the charges against her being read yesterday.

Lots of people were abused as children and grow up to be healthy adults, who do not turn and abuse others. If she tries to use that as an excuse I find that very sick.

[Tracygirl]

She needs to pay for what she did, there is no doubt about it. Everyone has choices, everyone has skeletons in their closets. I have literally been so upset at my ex I had to control myself as to not throw something at him. I found that control, as do millions of other people and we stopped from doing something that would harm another person.

I don't get pedophilia at all. I don't understand why someone would want to do this to a child or get turned on by seeing a child. It is so un-natural, especially for a woman. We are wired to care and protect children, not to do this. I have read so many times an abuser was once a victim, why? Not why they turn to abuse, that is basic psychology, but why do they not get the help they need to not turn into abusers. This doesn't happen to all victims though, many turn that pain of being victimized into advocating. So why some vicitms become abusers and others, not? That is the million dollar question I think.     

I do not condone what she did, not for one second, however if it is found out she herself is a victim of molestation I find it sad. She obviously didn't get the help needed to recover from her ordeal and if her family knew about it but choose to ignore it, they are somewhat responsible for what happened to Sandra. So too, if the parents/family knew about a mental illness so serious she would kill and rape a child yet they did what so many parents/family do, choose to ignore it, look past it, make excuses for it, I hope each one feels the guilt of this child's death for the rest of their lives.

Is it ok to ask, if it is found MH is a victim of sexual abuse, will that change the way you feel about this case and about her?

If she was indeed a victim all I would change is that her abuser would have murdered her, stuffed her in a suitcase and dumped her in a dirty pond. Then maybe Sandra would still be with us.

I don't know if I can agree with that. No child ever should ever be abused, murderd, stuffed into a suitcase and dumped, no child.

[Maven]

Am I the only one who still has the weird porn ring/cult type of feeling about this one?  I'm not sure if there's been anything new that I don't know about.  (I didn't see anything in this new thread, unless I just missed something!)

I'm not sure, I can't seem to make up my mind on that. I keep thinking that she didn't act alone, that the church and it's members are connected, that this wasn't the first time this has happened (the molestation part), and that this is a whole lot bigger than what we know.

then

I think about LE statements that no one else is involved and I question my previous thoughts.

[MunkeyMunk]

She needs to pay for what she did, there is no doubt about it. Everyone has choices, everyone has skeletons in their closets. I have literally been so upset at my ex I had to control myself as to not throw something at him. I found that control, as do millions of other people and we stopped from doing something that would harm another person.

I don't get pedophilia at all. I don't understand why someone would want to do this to a child or get turned on by seeing a child. It is so un-natural, especially for a woman. We are wired to care and protect children, not to do this. I have read so many times an abuser was once a victim, why? Not why they turn to abuse, that is basic psychology, but why do they not get the help they need to not turn into abusers. This doesn't happen to all victims though, many turn that pain of being victimized into advocating. So why some vicitms become abusers and others, not? That is the million dollar question I think.     

I do not condone what she did, not for one second, however if it is found out she herself is a victim of molestation I find it sad. She obviously didn't get the help needed to recover from her ordeal and if her family knew about it but choose to ignore it, they are somewhat responsible for what happened to Sandra. So too, if the parents/family knew about a mental illness so serious she would kill and rape a child yet they did what so many parents/family do, choose to ignore it, look past it, make excuses for it, I hope each one feels the guilt of this child's death for the rest of their lives.

Is it ok to ask, if it is found MH is a victim of sexual abuse, will that change the way you feel about this case and about her?

Any abuse in her past would not change my feelings towards her whatsoever. I had so sympathy for her watching her in court yesterday. If she is proven to be abused as a child I certainly feel bad about that, and I can relate to that on a personal level. The major difference is I have never and I would never even think about abusing a child, I got chills just hearing the charges against her being read yesterday.

Lots of people were abused as children and grow up to be healthy adults, who do not turn and abuse others. If she tries to use that as an excuse I find that very sick.

I agree.  Being abused in my past I actually find it offensive for someone to use that as an excuse! (does that make sense?)