O.C. police investigate rape and killing suspect in two arson cases
Police in Orange County say the woman charged with killing and raping an 8-year-old Northern California girl was questioned in connection with two arson cases.
La Palma Police Capt. Jim Enright said Wednesday that 28-year-old Melissa Huckaby was considered a person of interest in two fires set at a home where she lived in 2007.
Enright said a gag order issued Tuesday by a San Joaquin County judge handling the Sandra Cantu murder case prevented him from discussing Huckaby further. He said any investigation would halt while the murder case proceeded.
Authorities said the two fires caused nearly $90,000 in damage.
Huckaby remains in jail without bail on charges that she kidnapped, raped and murdered her 5-year-old daughter’s playmate.
She is scheduled to appear in court Friday.
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