Mom Charged With Sex Slavery in Girl's Death

NC 5-year-old was asphyxiated, arrest warrant says

(AP) - A 5-year-old North Carolina girl was raped and killed the same day she was taken from her home, according to an arrest warrant released today. Shaniya Davis was sexually assaulted and asphyxiated Nov. 10, the day her mother reported her missing from the trailer park where she was staying, according to the warrant. After a nearly weeklong search, the girl's body was found dumped off a rural road. More»

(NEWSER) - The accused killer of an 8-year-old California girl has been linked to an earlier abduction of a child in the same community, reports the Tracy Press. A 7-year-old girl was led from her neighborhood in January by a woman driving the same kind of car belonging to Sunday school teacher Melissa Huckaby. The teacher was charged last week with murdering Sandra Cantu, a friend of Huckaby's young daughter. Huckaby, Cantu and the abducted girl all lived in the same trailer park. More»

Will be charged today; may face death penalty

(NEWSER) - The California Sunday school teacher set to be accused of killing 8-year-old Sandra Cantu may also face rape and child molestation charges, qualifying her for the death penalty, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Melissa Huckaby will be arraigned this afternoon; prosecutors will charge her with murder but are debating whether to add the “special-circumstances” charges. More»

Cops, kin lose hope as time passes

(NEWSER) - Missing family members of the young teenage girl found bound and gagged in the basement of an Ohio man have likely been murdered, police fear. "We would like to retain a hopeful attitude, but we have to be realistic," said local Knox County Sheriff David Barber. Sarah Maynard, her 10-year-old brother, Kody, mom Tina Herrmann, and a friend vanished nearly a week ago from the family's home, which police found splattered with blood. Sarah, who was rescued by a police swat team, is aiding investigators. Barber called her the "epitome of bravery" for maintaining her cool through 5 days of captivity. Matthew Hoffman, 31, has been charged in her kidnapping. More»

Buffalo suspect blamed son's burn on runaway

(NEWSER) - A Buffalo man is charged with holding a 13-year-old runaway in his home for six months, and raping her more than 100 times. Michael J. Abdallah, 26, is jailed on charges of second-degree rape, unlawful imprisonment, and custodial interference. The case came to light after police questioned Abdallah about a burn on his 1-year-old son. Abdallah pointed them toward the 13-year-old, whom he said watched child. Police then discovered the relationship, NBC reports. More»