Murder arrest stuns teacher’s relatives

Published 5:00 am Monday, April 13, 2009

TRACY, Calif. — Family of a Sunday school teacher arrested in the killing of an 8-year-old girl found stuffed into a suitcase said Sunday they are baffled by the accusations against the woman they know as a loving, single parent.

“I just can’t comprehend. There are no words,” said Brian Lawless, the father of 28-year-old Melissa Huckaby, who is being held in San Joaquin County Jail on suspicion of kidnapping and killing Sandra Cantu.

Lawless met with reporters outside Clover Road Baptist Church in Tracy, where the family held Easter services. The church is near the mobile home park where Sandra lived and was last seen.

— From wire reports