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O.C. police investigate rape and killing suspect in two arson cases

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Associated Press

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.

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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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