Sandra Cantu

Melissa Huckaby

On July 20, the grand jury met and considered Huckaby's case. When they had finished, the results were more startling than previously expected. Huckaby was indicted on five counts on August 17 including: kidnapping, murder, lewd or lascivious acts with a child, and rape with a foreign object. The latter two charges qualify as "special circumstances" in the state of California. If convicted, she could face the death penalty.

A preliminary hearing is set for September 24. After months of not entering a plea, Huckaby pleaded not guilty. Something else was different about this court appearance: unlike her other public appearances, this time, Melissa Huckaby did not shed a tear.