Sunday School Teacher booked in death of 8 yr. old Sandra Cantu

Superstar, Legend and Icon Number of posts: 39205 Registration date: 2007-12-28

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=7313247
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=7317593&page=1
Sunday school teacher Melissa Huckaby, 28, of Tracy, Calif., arrrested on charges of kidnapping and murdering 8-year-old Sandra Cantu, whose body was found stuffed into the teacher's suitcase in an irrigation pond, has been on suicide watch at the San Joaquin County Jail, where she has been held without bail since shortly before midinight Friday after almost six hours of questioning.

Suspect in the murderof the girl who was found in suitcase.
Huckaby's arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday.

Huckaby's arrest has dealt a double blow to close-knit Tracy, already shattered by the disappearance and death of one of its children. The arrest brought little relief to the family, only disbelief that it was a neighbor, the mother of the slain girl's best friend, who lived just a few doors down from the Cantu home.

Police had been collecting evidence from a nearby church where Huckaby taught on Sundays, and where her grandfather is the pastor, but they would not confirm any reports that Sandra had been killed in the church, nor would they provide a possible motive for the murder.

But police do believe that Sandra was killed soon after a surveillance video showing the second-grader skipping happily in her neighborhood March 27 was recorded.

Autopsy results have not been released, and the Tracy police would not say whether investigators believe the slaying was accidental or deliberate, according to The Associated Press.

The grief and fears of this small, tight Northern California town of about 78,000 people, which sits about 60 miles north of San Francisco, are now laced with anger at the neighbor the Tracy residents thought they knew, who now stands accused of taking young Sandra's life.

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Superstar, Legend and Icon Number of posts: 39205 Registration date: 2007-12-28

I am literally shocked by this turn of events. Women rarely murder, especially other women's children. She is obviously off her rocker.. I wonder what possessed her to do this? People that know her are shocked as well, so it's not like she has a history of evil behaviors. I am anxious for more details.

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Moody wrote:

I am literally shocked by this turn of events. Women rarely murder, especially other women's children. She is obviously off her rocker.. I wonder what possessed her to do this? People that know her are shocked as well, so it's not like she has a history of evil behaviors. I am anxious for more details.

Moody, I was surprised at my reaction to this horrible, tragic event. I thought I was developing a thick skin with a bit of cynicism, like nothing would surprise me anymore. This shocked me.

Age old question. Is it the electronic highway or are there more and more incidents of inhumanity?

Famous for being Famous Number of posts: 6548 Registration date: 2008-01-13

I'm shocked too and even more so that there possibly going to charge her with rape and molestation.

Administrator Number of posts: 27292 Registration date: 2007-11-16

I'm wondering if she didn't snap and have one of those " she has the devil in her and must be destroyed" Didn't they say the murder took place in the church?

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Superstar, Legend and Icon Number of posts: 20291 Registration date: 2008-01-12

This is very shocking. I think you may be on to something Nancy.

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NancyB (admin) wrote:

I'm wondering if she didn't snap and have one of those " she has the devil in her and must be destroyed" Didn't they say the murder took place in the church?

They haven't confirmed where it happened, but it does look like it may have been done in the church.

Is it wrong of me that I wish she gets the death penalty and suffers forever in hell?

Not at all Frances. If they can prove BEYOND a doubt that she did it then I saw give it to her. I'm for the death penalty when the crime involves children and the elderly. Most especially a child. It's just senseless.

Superstar, Legend and Icon Number of posts: 39205 Registration date: 2007-12-28

I haven't learned any more about it, but I would imagine she had some type of psychotic break (loss of touch with reality) --perhaps similar to what Andrea Yates had when she drowned all her children? No idea, need to learn more about this woman. Have we heard anything about a history of mental illness? Raping the girl? WTF? I am completely puzzled. I guess my first reaction isn't revenge/punishment.. it's more of a need to understand. Once I understand THEN I can feel the anger or whatnot.

They keep playing that video clip of the girl skipping down the street so happy.. moments before her death... and for me that is SOOOOOOO disturbing.

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Moody from what I remember she didn't have any history but I believe she was scheduled for an evaluation. I guess we differ on some things. I don't think there is ANY excuse in the world for hurting a child. I hate it when people use the excuse that they were abused as a child. That is no excuse. I would say more but I'll stop now.

This story pisses me off.

I hope they hang her

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lindakm wrote:

Moody from what I remember she didn't have any history but I believe she was scheduled for an evaluation. I guess we differ on some things. I don't think there is ANY excuse in the world for hurting a child. I hate it when people use the excuse that they were abused as a child. That is no excuse. I would say more but I'll stop now.

I didn't say anything about an excuse, I said I needed a better understanding. In the case of Andrea Yates, she clearly believed that God told her that she was doing the right thing drowning all those kids. It was horrible. Now she lives without her children and knows it was her hands that murdered them. That is a woman I feel sorry for. I would kill myself if I did something like that.

This woman.... I just don't get it- that's all. I don't want to give her an excuse, and of course I want her punished but I really want to understand it. Especially the rape thing. WTF is that about?

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This is disturbing on so many levels. What a horror.

Superstar, Legend and Icon Number of posts: 39205 Registration date: 2007-12-28

I have seen the same horrid photo of the Melissa Huckaby but in this one she looks fairly "normal" doesn't she?

This is the other one I keep seeing, her mug shot.

She reminds me a bit if Casey Anthony in the first photo.

"When she was booked, she was booked on charges of kidnapping and murder," Tracy Police Sgt. Tony Sheneman said on "Larry King Live" on Monday night. "And we're informed by the district attorney that she'll be charged with abduction, murder, rape with a foreign object and lewd and lascivious acts with a child."

Why on earth?

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Moody wrote:

lindakm wrote:

Moody from what I remember she didn't have any history but I believe she was scheduled for an evaluation. I guess we differ on some things. I don't think there is ANY excuse in the world for hurting a child. I hate it when people use the excuse that they were abused as a child. That is no excuse. I would say more but I'll stop now.

I didn't say anything about an excuse, I said I needed a better understanding. In the case of Andrea Yates, she clearly believed that God told her that she was doing the right thing drowning all those kids. It was horrible. Now she lives without her children and knows it was her hands that murdered them. That is a woman I feel sorry for. I would kill myself if I did something like that.

This woman.... I just don't get it- that's all. I don't want to give her an excuse, and of course I want her punished but I really want to understand it. Especially the rape thing. WTF is that about?

I didn't mean to imply that you were giving her an excuse. Sorry. I know from your perspective because of your occupation you would want to understand why. I guess I didn't express myself very well. I just hate the excuse tat they were abused. Do you know what I'm trying to say? I can't understand how she (or anyone but especially a female) could do that.

Superstar, Legend and Icon Number of posts: 39205 Registration date: 2007-12-28

I don't get it either... that just drives my curiosity even more.

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Shocked. I can't believe it. The poor child.

Poor child....fry the bitch! Oops sorry!

Moody are you watching Nancy Grace?

All Star Number of posts: 1958 Location: Oklahoma Registration date: 2008-12-01

For the life of me, I can't understand how a mother of a 5 year old little girl could turn around and do this to an 8 year old little girl. For me, there is no justice in justice because there is no legal punishment that could be severe enough.

Somebody asked Nancy Grace the question I was wondering about and that was if anyone questioned her daughter about being molested. I never heard an answer to the question but I would like to know the answer to that.

Superstar, Legend and Icon Number of posts: 20291 Registration date: 2008-01-12

Quote:

she'll be charged with abduction, murder, rape with a foreign object and lewd and lascivious acts with a child."

She's not ill; she's evil. Probably born that way and not a chance of hell of her being rehabilitated or showing any remorse. Nothing to be done except rid the world of her evil presence!

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lindakm wrote:

Moody wrote:

lindakm wrote:

Moody from what I remember she didn't have any history but I believe she was scheduled for an evaluation. I guess we differ on some things. I don't think there is ANY excuse in the world for hurting a child. I hate it when people use the excuse that they were abused as a child. That is no excuse. I would say more but I'll stop now.

I didn't say anything about an excuse, I said I needed a better understanding. In the case of Andrea Yates, she clearly believed that God told her that she was doing the right thing drowning all those kids. It was horrible. Now she lives without her children and knows it was her hands that murdered them. That is a woman I feel sorry for. I would kill myself if I did something like that.

This woman.... I just don't get it- that's all. I don't want to give her an excuse, and of course I want her punished but I really want to understand it. Especially the rape thing. WTF is that about?

I didn't mean to imply that you were giving her an excuse. Sorry. I know from your perspective because of your occupation you would want to understand why. I guess I didn't express myself very well. I just hate the excuse tat they were abused. Do you know what I'm trying to say? I can't understand how she (or anyone but especially a female) could do that.

I don't think being a victim of child abuse is an excuse, but it does go some way to "explaining" why some people go on to become abusers themselves in adult life. Emotional trauma of that nature will always manifest itself in some way later in life.

Superstar, Legend and Icon Number of posts: 39205 Registration date: 2007-12-28

Frog- what do they do with the mentally ill that commit evil crimes such as this in England? Does Europe have Capitol Punishment?

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Moody wrote:

Frog- what do they do with the mentally ill that commit evil crimes such as this in England? Does Europe have Capitol Punishment?

You know the answer.

No European country has Capital punishment.
38 states in the US do... These states are in the company of : Afghanistan, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Uganda, and Vietnam.

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Moody wrote:

Frog- what do they do with the mentally ill that commit evil crimes such as this in England? Does Europe have Capitol Punishment?

No capital punishment in Europe, Mood, no. I'm personally very anti-capital punishment so I'm happy that it hasn't been re-introduced in the UK. In England we have a few high security hospitals, the most famous of which is called "Broadmoor", which houses the most dangerous criminals who have been deemed to be mentally ill in some way. This article gives some info about it -

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1088801/Broadmoor-hospital-finally-gives-secrets.html

I'm not exactly sure how the criminally insane are dealt with in other European countries, but I think most commit them to hospitals like the UK.

Superstar, Legend and Icon Number of posts: 39205 Registration date: 2007-12-28

oneforthefrog wrote:

Moody wrote:

Frog- what do they do with the mentally ill that commit evil crimes such as this in England? Does Europe have Capitol Punishment?

No capital punishment in Europe, Mood, no. I'm personally very anti-capital punishment so I'm happy that it hasn't been re-introduced in the UK. In England we have a few high security hospitals, the most famous of which is called "Broadmoor", which houses the most dangerous criminals who have been deemed to be mentally ill in some way. This article gives some info about it -

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1088801/Broadmoor-hospital-finally-gives-secrets.html

I'm not exactly sure how the criminally insane are dealt with in other European countries, but I think most commit them to hospitals like the UK.

Thanks. It must be very strange to hear your American friends make comments such as "kill them, hang them etc.".

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lol, Moody!

No matter what happens to criminals in this country, I believe they will have to pay for their crimes , one way or another.

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No, it's not strange. My aunt's always going on about how we should bring back hanging and not just because she knows it drives me mad when she says things like that Naughty, naughty

. To get her back I just mention Ruth Ellis, who was the last woman hanged in England and someone my aunt thinks was executed unfairly. She either changes the subject super fast or plies me with alcohol to make me change the subject.

After the London Underground bombings of 7th July 2005, there was a movement to reintroduce capital punishment for terrorist offences. I think if there was another major attack on London it would be a very close call as to whether the electorate would support reintroduction in a national referendum.

oneforthefrog wrote:

lindakm wrote:

Moody wrote:

lindakm wrote:

Moody from what I remember she didn't have any history but I believe she was scheduled for an evaluation. I guess we differ on some things. I don't think there is ANY excuse in the world for hurting a child. I hate it when people use the excuse that they were abused as a child. That is no excuse. I would say more but I'll stop now.

I didn't say anything about an excuse, I said I needed a better understanding. In the case of Andrea Yates, she clearly believed that God told her that she was doing the right thing drowning all those kids. It was horrible. Now she lives without her children and knows it was her hands that murdered them. That is a woman I feel sorry for. I would kill myself if I did something like that.

This woman.... I just don't get it- that's all. I don't want to give her an excuse, and of course I want her punished but I really want to understand it. Especially the rape thing. WTF is that about?

I didn't mean to imply that you were giving her an excuse. Sorry. I know from your perspective because of your occupation you would want to understand why. I guess I didn't express myself very well. I just hate the excuse tat they were abused. Do you know what I'm trying to say? I can't understand how she (or anyone but especially a female) could do that.

I don't think being a victim of child abuse is an excuse, but it does go some way to "explaining" why some people go on to become abusers themselves in adult life. Emotional trauma of that nature will always manifest itself in some way later in life.

Not always. You can chose a better path in life. I know from experience.

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lindakm wrote:

oneforthefrog wrote:

lindakm wrote:

Moody wrote:

lindakm wrote:

Moody from what I remember she didn't have any history but I believe she was scheduled for an evaluation. I guess we differ on some things. I don't think there is ANY excuse in the world for hurting a child. I hate it when people use the excuse that they were abused as a child. That is no excuse. I would say more but I'll stop now.

I didn't say anything about an excuse, I said I needed a better understanding. In the case of Andrea Yates, she clearly believed that God told her that she was doing the right thing drowning all those kids. It was horrible. Now she lives without her children and knows it was her hands that murdered them. That is a woman I feel sorry for. I would kill myself if I did something like that.

This woman.... I just don't get it- that's all. I don't want to give her an excuse, and of course I want her punished but I really want to understand it. Especially the rape thing. WTF is that about?

I didn't mean to imply that you were giving her an excuse. Sorry. I know from your perspective because of your occupation you would want to understand why. I guess I didn't express myself very well. I just hate the excuse tat they were abused. Do you know what I'm trying to say? I can't understand how she (or anyone but especially a female) could do that.

I don't think being a victim of child abuse is an excuse, but it does go some way to "explaining" why some people go on to become abusers themselves in adult life. Emotional trauma of that nature will always manifest itself in some way later in life.

Not always. You can chose a better path in life. I know from experience.

I agree with Linda. I know of at least 5 people who have endured this type of evil and not one of them grew up to hurt someone else. Not one.

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Emotional trauma can manifest itself in some way later in life (like OFTF said) in many ways both positive and negative.

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Well from personal experience mine is positive. I really think you chose which path you will take.

Superstar, Legend and Icon Number of posts: 20291 Registration date: 2008-01-12

I truly believe some people are born evil, I really do!

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Lori wrote:

I truly believe some people are born evil, I really do!

I do too. No question about that, some come out ready to gauge the eyes out of kittens. lol!

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Moody I just pictured that in my mind. Not a pretty sight.

Last edited by jfan on April 15th 2009, 3:22 pm; edited 1 time in total

I don't know about the born evil thing .. it could be possible in a way. Some people may be born with parts of their brain that control things like compassion, consciense, empathy, and self control missing. I guess I would see those people as needing to be kept from society for the protection of others but if it is a physical or physiological deformity, then they should be no more punished for it than a mentally retarded person would be punished for having a low I.Q. and the inability to take care of themselves.

I don't know about the childhood environmental factors either. Yes, many people who suffer abuse and traumatic experiences never hurt anyone else. But is it a free choice or not? Some people have the pyschological make-up to withstand great trials and tribulations and others crumble when only the slightest things go wrong. For example, some people can go off to war and witness horrible atrocities and get on with their lives; others come back after witnessing the same type of things and suffer post-traumatic stress disorder. It is hard for me to conclude that some people choose to experience PTSD and others choose not to.

I guess that is why I am against the death penalty. We understand so little about what causes people to do what they do that it is best to leave it in the hands of God to make the decisions about who lives and die.

Superstar, Legend and Icon Number of posts: 39205 Registration date: 2007-12-28

jfan wrote:

I don't know about the born evil thing .. it could be possible in a way. Some people may be born with parts of their brain that control things like compassion, consciense, empathy, and self control missing. I guess I would see those people as needing to be kept from society for the protection of others but if it is a physical or physiological deformity, then they should be no more punished for it than a mentally retarded person would be punished for having a low I.Q. and the inability to take care of themselves.

I don't know about the childhood environmental factors either. Yes, many people who suffer abuse and traumatic experiences never hurt anyone else. But is it a free choice or not? Some people have the pyschological make-up to withstand great trials and tribulations and others crumble when only the slightest things go wrong. For example, some people can go off to war and witness horrible atrocities and get on with their lives; others come back after witnessing the same type of things and suffer post-traumatic stress disorder. It is hard for me to conclude that some people choose to experience PTSD and others choose not to.

I guess that is why I am against the death penalty. We understand so little about what causes people to do what they do that it is best to leave it in the ends of God to make the decisions about who lives and die.

This is EXACTLY how I feel. I didn't have the patience to go into the brain details that you did regarding being "born evil". Things are generally far more complicated that evil/good etc.

good posting

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Excellent post, jfan...very well thought out and written.