Crowd Gathers To Support Grieving Family Of Murdered Boy
PATTERSON, Calif. (CBS13) -- Hundreds of people gathered in somber support of the grieving family who is mourning the news that a young boy was found dead in the Delta-Mendota Canal on Tuesday.
A water authority meter reader found the child's body floating in the canal early Tuesday morning about 30 miles downstream from where a farm worker spotted a kidnapping suspect's vehicle plunging into the water less than an hour after 4-year-old Juliani Cardenas was ripped from his grandmother's arms.
Stanislaus County authorities said the victim matched the appearance and clothes of Cardenas on the day he was taken, and offered their condolences to the boy's family.
Friends, family and community members joined together in song, prayer and silence Tuesday night.
"I have to be a part of this," said resident Carrie Wells. "I've been here a decade, I had to come and show my support."
Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson, who led the search for the missing boy, also attended the gathering.
"I think it's very telling of a caring community that's supporting a family who's grieving," Christianson said.
Juliani's grandmother offered a few words through tears for the crowd as other family members, including Juliani's mother Tabitha Cardenas, listened.
"I don't have any words but you're all in my heart forever," Amparo Cardenas said. "Thank you all, and God bless your babies everywhere."
Sheriff Christianson says the kidnapping case is now being handled as a homicide case. A homicide arrest warrant has been issued for 27-year-old Jose Esteban Rodriguez, although law enforcement officials believe his body is also in the canal.
Rodriguez apparently grew increasingly angry and unstable for several months after Tabitha Cardenas ended their relationship. Rodriguez was not Juliani's biological father, but Tabitha is 8 months pregnant with his daughter.
Rodriguez had a violent criminal history and made several attempts to kidnap Juliani before succeeding at 4:12 p.m. on January 18. The suspect's silver vehicle was pulled from the Delta-Mendota Canal last Friday.
