Crime | Sandra Cantu 8-Year-Old's Killer Gets Life Melissa Huckaby denies sexually abusing Sandra Cantu By Newser Editors and Wire Services Suggested by Disillusioned Posted Jun 14, 2010 1:59 PM CDT Copied In this April 14, 2009 photo, Melissa Huckaby, 28, is shown in a Stockton, Calif., courtroom during her arraignment. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, Pool) A California Sunday school teacher who pleaded guilty to kidnapping and murdering an 8-year-old neighbor made a tearful apology to the victim's family today as she was sentenced to life in prison. "She did not suffer, and I did not sexually molest her," said Melissa Huckaby, who avoided the death penalty with the plea. "I'm asking you, Maria, for your forgiveness. I can't imagine forgiving someone who harmed my daughter. I hope someday you can forgive me." Huckaby entered her surprise plea last month to first-degree murder with a special circumstance of kidnapping in the death of Sandra Cantu, whose body was found in a suitcase pulled from an irrigation pond. All other charges, including allegations that Huckaby sexually abused the girl, were dropped. Read These Next Actor Michael Madsen is dead at 67. Doctor left her Alaskan cruise and never returned. Extremely rare bat-borne virus claims a human life. Houses passes 'Big Beautiful Bill' by Trump's deadline. Report an error