Melissa Huckaby Arrested in Sandra Cantu Murder (PHOTOS)

Posted on: April 11th, 2009 by: Meg25 comments

Sunday school teacher Melissa Huckaby, 28, has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and killing Sandra Cantu, according to Tracy, California police Sgt. Tony Sheneman. Huckaby was booked at 11:55 p.m. on Friday night after “she gave enough info to us during the course of the interview that probable cause was there to arrest her.”

Huckaby is being held without bail at San Joaquin City Jail and will be arraigned on Tuesday for the murder of the 8 year old child who disappeared on March 27 from Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park. The girl’s body was discovered in a suitcase two miles from her home on Monday, April 6.

On Tuesday, the Clover Road Baptist Church became the focus of the police investigation. The church pastor, Clifford Lawless, is the grandfather of the suspect. Melissa Huckaby lived in the same mobile home park as Cantu, and her 5 year old daughter was a friend of the slain girl.

Police seized computers and other items from the church and trailer homes of Lawless and Huckaby. Their focus narrowed to a small shed on the church grounds on Friday. Police reportedly were suspicious upon questioning Huckaby about the suitcase. The woman told them that she had left one on her driveway and it had been stolen from her. She also told police that she found a note the day after the girl disappeared that said, “Cantu, Suitcase, Water.”

Huckaby is currently serving three years probation for petty theft at a local Target store and had been scheduled to appear in court on April 17 to check in regarding her compliance status with a county mental health program.

In another bizarre twist, she told police that she had been hospitalized in intensive care for several days and had been released from Sutter Tracy Community Hospital on Thursday, for what she described as “internal bleeding.”

More photos and arrest press conference video below.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk1PkmtI0gg[/youtube]

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Filed under: Celebrities

25 Responses to “Melissa Huckaby Arrested in Sandra Cantu Murder (PHOTOS)”

Alani, on April 11th, 2009 at 2:08 pm Said:

I hope she was in the hospital from Sandra fighting for her life, and that she got a good kick in. Where was everyone who lived in that house when the murder was going on? Was her five year old daughter a witness? There had to be some sign that something happened, and you would think that her grandparents would notice (she lived with them). If there are no more arrest than it must mean the grandparents are testifying against her.

The lady reminds me of the mother of Caylee Anthony, Casey Anthony.
Rupert L Roso, on April 12th, 2009 at 1:41 am Said:

I think “Melissa Huckaby ” should be put to death if she is found guilty for the Murder of Sandra Cantu.

This is Horrible that a Sunday school teacher could commit such a crime. “What about thou shall not kill”

Obviously I believe that this church forgot to run a criminal back ground check and a therapy test on this person.

All Churches should run these tests before allowing any one person Male or Female to represent a church.

Well she shall not only have to pay for her crimes but if found guilty she should have to appear before national television giving her reason why.

I am so sorry this had to happen too her parents and I hope that justice is served. My heart goes out to all her family and friends. My Family and I will be praying for all of you.

Sincerely:
Rupert L Roso
mar, on April 12th, 2009 at 4:55 pm Said:

I is becoming a scarry world! How can a woman, a mother, a sunday school teacher kill a child???
If this is true, I hope she will get the punishment she deserves for cutting this beautiful girl’s life short!
May little Sandra Rest in Peace!
May the Killer(s) pay for this!
Brandon, on April 13th, 2009 at 7:52 am Said:

How can a person kill a child? Im father of 2 and I cant image killing my kid or any kids!! Unbelieveable what is going on with this world? It gotten worse!
If she did this I think she should get death sentence. My heart goes out to girls family.. and Melisa family who didnt know she was capable of doing that..
This goes same to those sex offenders too!! leave our children ALONE!!!!
Karen, on April 13th, 2009 at 9:44 am Said:

I think the Tracy police should be commended for the excellent job they have done bringing this case to a closure and arresting someone so soon. Rest in peace sweet Sandra. We will all be watching to see how this case unfolds and I urge everyone not to jump to any conclusions. This is still America and suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The internet seems to bring out the lynch mob mentality of people. I wouldn’t say she is like Casey Anthony but if she did this deliberately she will certainly get her punishment.
Cynthia Gee, on April 13th, 2009 at 3:03 pm Said:

Has it ever occurred to you that she may be covering for someone else, like maybe her grandfather?
Everett, on April 13th, 2009 at 4:23 pm Said:

Death sentence? In California? The number one cause of death, on death row, is old age. I think we should go back to public hangings. And shorten the appeals process and availability. In Texas, if there are 3 or more credible witnesses to the murder, you are executed within days. It is so sad. My heart and prayers go out to both families. I don’t see how the church, families, neighborhood can exist, normally, ever again. Rest in peace, beautiful innocent Sandra. Rot in hell, whoever did this.
zory, on April 13th, 2009 at 4:45 pm Said:

i dont understand!!! why?
lisa, on April 13th, 2009 at 11:38 pm Said:

This is just more proof of the lawlessness of our society and how human life means 0, nothing to many now. I’m not a super religious person – but the book of Revelation speaks of this kind of horror – in the end times. I’m beginning to understand what the book means in my lifetime. Such violence and debauchery – nothing making sense. May the good Lord turn this tragedy into something beautiful for the family – and be a testament of His covenant. God bless and God speed, little one.
Haluk, on April 14th, 2009 at 1:39 am Said:

Look at the photo and tell this girl somehow related or did related with drugs.
I dont believe she is alone.
She s keeping someone from family, or from outside who can obtain money (for her daughter or fam.)
MOMMIE SHAWNA, on April 14th, 2009 at 11:54 am Said:

God says do not judge. I sure do want to judge her but i’m not. The church should not suffer nor should anyone judge the pastor its not his control. God gave us free will to make decisions and that woman chose to do what she did for what ever reason because obviously she was not in her right mind. It breaks my heart and i hurt for everyone involved. That woman has a little girl too and what is she going through right now.
She and her family will have to live with this the rest of their lives. people do things not realizing the impact it will have on the people who love them. Selfish acts!!
countrygirl, on April 14th, 2009 at 6:41 pm Said:

It’s sickening! I don’t have kids yet, but mark my words when I do I will not trust them with anyone!! This is crazy, now Sunday School teachers are raping and killing kids?!!!!
Nic, on April 14th, 2009 at 7:53 pm Said:

I think she is covering for her grandfather who had probably molested her and molested her daughter. What woman would do such a thing? I think he had something to do with it. There is defintately more to this story than we know right now.
moji, on April 14th, 2009 at 7:58 pm Said:

I really think the pastor did it…something about him is really disturbing!
Mom Becky, on April 14th, 2009 at 8:01 pm Said:

If it all comes out in the wash, i’ll bet this woman has been being molested by grandpa for years… he raised her.
Patrick, on April 14th, 2009 at 11:21 pm Said:

It really bothers me that they are talking insanity. If she did kill and sexually abuse that little girl, there is no doubt that this person is completely insane, however she still needs to be put to death. How can she ever be a productive part of society after committing such a horrible act on a helpless baby. I have a two year old and another on the way. It breaks my heart to think about what her parents must be going through right now, not to mention what little Sandra’s last moments on Earth were like….Again, if she did these crimes, there should be no getting off on an insanity plea. She should swing quickly and rot in Hell!!
Tina, on April 15th, 2009 at 10:37 am Said:

The other media stories haven’t published this much detail. I have said from the very beginning that there are wholes in this story. There’s just no way the police are arresting her based solely on a suitcase. I’m sure with time other media archives will publish info about the “letter” she found. This is weird. My deepest sympathies to the Cantu family. May sweet , little Sandra rest in peace.
stephanie, on April 16th, 2009 at 12:13 pm Said:

WHO DO WE TRUST IF WE CANT TRUST A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER? ALL THIS IS STUPID! HOW CAN ANYONE DO THIS MUCH LESS TO A CHILD AND TO SEXUALLY ABUSE CHILDREN!THESE PEOPLE ARE SICK AND SHOULD BE KILLED LIKE THE INNOCENSE OF THE CHILDREN THEY KILLED! WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO TRUST IF WE CANT TRUST THE CHURCH COMMUNITY? THIS HAPPENS TO TOO MAY KIDS BY THE PEOPLE WE TRUST THE MOST. PLEASE BE STRICT WITH YOUR BABYS CUZ YOU NEVER KNOW. MUCH SYMPATHY TO THE CANTU FAMILY AND SANDRA MAY YOU REST IN PEACE WITH THE ANGELS IN THE GOOD LODS ARMS!
Christina Stange, on April 20th, 2009 at 1:21 am Said:

This HAS to be the WORST thing any human being could ever have to face in their life is to not only lose your child but to lose your child to being murdered???? OMG, I cant think of anything more horrifing then that. It is pure ((( EVIL ))) Huckaby somewhere along the line became pocessed by Satan himself. Satan is still in her but in hiding and enjoying what he pocessed her to do. It’s all written in the Bible of what is to come in the end days. False Teachings, False prophets, acts like this one and the EVILNESS involved in all of it. This is a sign of the times. Know the Bible so that you dont follow the wrong leader. I love you Sandra and I dont have to even know you.
Mesila, on April 23rd, 2009 at 2:33 am Said:

Don’t read the following words as some kind of endorsement of or sympathy towards Huckaby. But the media circus surrounding this crime and the reactions to it are a little galling and sickening. People calling for “public hangings” are only falling victim to the same sort of lust –albeit without any sexual element–that inspires murderers. You want to see this woman die because of what she did? It’s not enough to have a death penalty, you want it to be out in the open where people can quench some sort of thirst for vengeance? How about having some class? In Great Britain they don’t have media circuses like this around crime cases. Most newspapers that aren’t outright tabloids don’t linger on the lurid details and case histories aren’t pondered over morning tea there. I think American news media really have to take two steps back and start saying Enough is Enough. And quit saying Sweet Little Sandra and I Love You Sandra, for Heaven’s sake, did any of you people actually know this kid?t OBVIOUSLY it would not excuse hitting a kid much less murdering her but for all you know Sandra might have been a totally mean messed up little kid. I’ve known a few. Everyone has. My point is, griefsploitation is lame and it makes people seem incredibly sanctimonious. It was the same sort of thing I remember newspapers and blogs being full of for two years following 9/11. It’s okay to “love her without knowing her” but don’t make a public spectacle of it, I think it’s really tacky. Of course, this is just my opinion.

And just because I am going to ignore anyone who interprets this as “sympathy for the perp” doesn’t mean that it’s true. Just for the record: it’s not. Thank you.
Destini, on April 26th, 2009 at 9:36 pm Said:

I knew little Sandra Cantu before she…………..
past on,and I still remember her in my heart
I pray every night for the family of Sandra.
And I pray for Miranda,Maria,and Daniel.

R.I.P Sandra Cantu!! LOVE ALWAYS,
Destini James
Lynn, on April 27th, 2009 at 4:35 pm Said:

Dear melisa…… I am in complete disgust over what you said…… and I did not see what you said as sympathy for the perp!!! Even if Sandra was the meanest little girl to walk the planet (which I highly doubt) there is no way an innocent ( no matter how she acted,at the age of 8 she was innocent) little girl desreved this…. I’m sure that you will hit right back and say that ” I never said she deserved it” but let people say thier sympathies to the family. I pray for the family every day and if I wanna write my say in a blog suck it up and let me…..!!! I seem to remember that the reason princess Diana was killed was because of paparazzi IN BRITIAN chasing her car!!! Maybe thier main papers don’t run stories like that (MAYBE) but they chase just as many people and stories as we do. Most of the comments you made were ignorant ,selfish and obviously unthought out……. I PRAY LITTLE SANDRA RESTS IN PEACE….. AND THE LORD BRINGS PEACE TO HER FAMILY!!!!!!!!!
Lynn, on April 27th, 2009 at 5:03 pm Said:

I’m sorry I spelled your name wrong ( I was so infuriated with you) . I meant Mesila.
mo, on May 1st, 2009 at 9:27 pm Said:

I think the grandfather is involved absolutely.

I also agree that griefsploitation is misplaced. The worst cases are the ones where parents take their own young children to place flowers or grieve for Sandra and the children are too young to understand or to have developed coping skills even if they understand what happened. However, given how little public grieving goes on in the US and how little social support there is in this country in general (though I see that beginning to change) I also can see how misplacement is an option with few others for many people.

Oh, and killing perpetrators means we kill the opportunity to study and learn about such dangers and prevent or at least decrease them. Oh and if you say their behavior is to blame for your support of killing them, well you sound like you think a lot like they do.
Cleo, on August 18th, 2009 at 1:47 pm Said:

If found guilty, this woman should be put to death. A person like this does not deserve any opportunity to live. I feel so sorry for Sandra’s parents. May Sandra rest in peace, little angel. God bless you.

Is this woman’s grandfather being questioned? What reason did she have to kill a child?? Has she hurt her own kid before?? Has she been sexually molested?