Man Arrested After Little Girl Asked For Santa’s Help Arraigned

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(December, 16, 2008)--A man who was arrested after a Pharr girl's letter to Santa said she was being molested now faces charges in the abuse of the girl’s older sister.

Andres Enrique Cantu, 55, appeared in court Tuesday on a charge of continuous sexual abuse of a young child.

He was arrested Friday on a count related to the younger sister.

The girls are 9 and 10.

Cantu's total bond is $350,000.

He remains in the Hidalgo County Detention Center Tuesday evening.

Police say Cantu is related to both girls.

Pharr police believe the mother of the two girls was unaware of the abuse, which occurred at the family's residence.

Police say Cantu no longer lives at the home.

The younger girl submitted the Santa letter to her teacher at Cesar Chavez Elementary School last week in a class assignment.

An affidavit describes the letter as "a wish list to Santa" asking that the girl's relative stop touching her and her sister.

School officials contacted police.

Records show Cantu most recently was a computer lab aide at an alternative high school.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Grandma Susie Location: Lampasas on Dec 19, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Thank goodness, and how sad that it took a letter to Santa, because they didn't feel confident telling their mom.

Posted by: Cynthia Location: Temple on Dec 19, 2008 at 08:13 AM
If it were up to me to hand out punishment, I would stake him to a fire ant bed, pour honey on him, and let the ants have a meal!

Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: Ft Hood on Dec 19, 2008 at 07:48 AM
No, I'm the Spell Check "King". And the important part was that I agreed with her. I misspell frequently and it doesnt bother ME when someone corrects me. Of course you devoted a paragraph to berating me. Isnt THAT a good use for this platform.

Posted by: A MOTHER Location: WACO on Dec 18, 2008 at 03:27 PM
THIS IS A LOW DOWN DIRTY DOG!!!! NO PUNISHMENT WILL BE GOOD ENOUGH.THANK GOD FOR THIS ALERT TEACHER

Posted by: Mother of 4 Location: woodway on Dec 18, 2008 at 12:58 PM
I can't understand why anyone would want to hurt children. I believe men of that nature should be in jail with no parole period. One less sicko in this world would make it safer for my children to play without having to watch their backs. I don't know what I would do if that were to happen to me, however I know I would do my best for them to get the severity of the case. People like this disgust me. I commend the teacher for stepping in and taking charge of the matter. Job well done. I hope the girls know that they did right and hopefully things will turn around for them.

Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: Ft Hood on Dec 18, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Hey Hummm: No, I'm king. And who are you, the ACLU rep for posters? Concerned's Big sister? I was simply agreeing with them and pointing out a misspelled word. Dont get your panties TOO bunched typing TOO fast...Probably 90% of my posts have a misspelled word or two, doesnt bother me when I am corrected, which I usually am.

Posted by: DLB Location: texas on Dec 18, 2008 at 10:36 AM
to those of you who say she did not trust her mother, you are wrong....sometimes there are threats made to the child if he/she tells. This was her out and it worked. Be thankful that she found someone willing to read her letter. God bless these two little girls and their mother. It will take a lot of healing for them to be better. I hope this guy is ready for prison...they do not take child molestors well.

Posted by: Michelle Location: Waco on Dec 18, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Elizabeth in Arizona: I feel for you. My niece was not sexually abused but she was beat by the hands of her own mother. CPS and law enforcement didn't do nothing to get that child out of that home and they didn't even do anything to the mother. She did promise never to do it again. Yeah Right! Thankfully she is now living with a family member and not the mother. The system to protect kids is so messed it. I am so glad that everything is working out for you. And your kids are now in a very safe place. It's a shame that your ex-husband won't serve any time for the horrible crime. Best wishes to your and your girls.

Posted by: Me Location: Earth on Dec 17, 2008 at 09:52 PM
They should use a punishment that Tamerlane used to use. Drag him through the streets on his face until dead.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 17, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Thank God she believed in Santa to write him a letter asking for help and good job on the teacher for turning it in. This is exactly a time for CPS. Notice too that this man worked at an AEP. Nice one that....a pediofile working in a classroom with kids sent there for bad behavior with principals like the one in Meridian trying to have sex with a student sending them there. Really?!? These are the people we are trusting with our kids lives?

Posted by: hummm Location: Waco on Dec 17, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Just sayin is all: Are you the spelling bee queen? You know sometimes people know how to spell they just get all worked up over these stories and get to typing to fast. Pointing out that someone misspelled one word wrong is stupid, now if it was a WHOLE paragraph then I understand. Now, go ahead and proof read this...oh yeah, and have a good day!

Posted by: Eve Location: Waco on Dec 17, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Wait till he goes to prison then he'll be treated like he treated those poor girls and even worse. I hope those poor girls will be able to move on with this tragic expierince. God bless these girls

Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: Ft Hood on Dec 17, 2008 at 08:06 AM
What "concerned" said, only CASTRATION not Castoration

Posted by: Parent Location: Waco on Dec 17, 2008 at 07:44 AM
Oh my, this is so sad! I am so glad that someone actualy read the letter and that it didnt go to a pile somewhere.

Posted by: concerned Location: mclennan county on Dec 17, 2008 at 12:44 AM
ANOTHER PERV. WHEN THESE FOLKS GET CAUGHT THEY SHOULD HAVE A COURT DATE AND THEN WHAT EVER THEY GET,THEY SHOULD ADD CASTORATION WITH A SHARP KNIFE ALSO!

Posted by: Dawn Location: Waco on Dec 16, 2008 at 11:12 PM
I tell my kids that Santa receives mail all year long, I hope the little girls be ok, and the animal rots in hell.

Posted by: dmg Location: waco on Dec 16, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Guess my first post was too graphic regarding what they should do to that pervert......hope he rots in hell!

Posted by: A MOTHER Location: TEXAS on Dec 16, 2008 at 06:16 PM
WHERE IS THE MOTHER OF THESE CHILDREN??WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF IT WASNT CHRISTMAS TIME SO THE CHILD COULD WRITE A LETTER TO SANTA.THANK GOD FOR CHRISTMAS.

Posted by: Elizabeth Location: AZ on Dec 16, 2008 at 03:56 PM
I have to talk about this, My little girl was molestated by her father when she was 8, not a dang thing happened (because we were divorcing) The court thought it was me trying get custody. WRONG! She was taken from me for 6 months in foster care. She was treated badly and was told she better stop telling the truth, and my ex was allowed into the foster home at anytime by the foster parents, NO SHE WAS NOT SAFE but yet I was living in a SAFE HOUSE. My ex's sister worked in the courthouse for the judge hearing the case. Yes it was fishy, so I got joint custody and went on with our lives as best as we could. She would not go outside to play with friends. It has been 5 years, she is and always has been a wonderful child but just this year she is playing with friends, so yes these two girls are going to need lots of help and support . My ex tried to do it again, and has since lost his rights, and now I have full custody, but only because he signed them away in exchange for no charges filed.

Posted by: vangie Location: toronto,canada on Dec 16, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Mr. Andres Enrique Cantu ruin for life those two girls. He deserve hell.

Posted by: vangie Location: canada on Dec 16, 2008 at 02:56 PM
Mr. Cantu has to rot in jail.

Posted by: Anonymous1 Location: Waco on Dec 16, 2008 at 02:40 PM
I couldnt have said it any better than Hollilss...my thoughts and prayers go out to the victim and I sure hope the man gets all the punishment he deserves (life in prison or death)...maybe some of the inmates and touch him too.

Posted by: Sandra Location: Temple on Dec 16, 2008 at 02:28 PM
I'm crying, because this is so sad. Who says Santa isn't real? This girl trusted him completely to help her and her sister, and now she is getting her wish! God bless these children, and I hope the perverts get what they deserve.

Posted by: me Location: around on Dec 16, 2008 at 01:26 PM
I'm just thankful that someone actually read the letter.Kudos to the the teacher or whoever read the the letter.

Posted by: momof1 Location: teague on Dec 16, 2008 at 01:07 PM
dang this is sad she couldnt find someone to tell earlier. thank god someone read that letter. i hope he rots in jail.

Posted by: Grandma Susie Location: Lampasas on Dec 16, 2008 at 12:59 PM
99 years sound good to me.

Posted by: blessed on Dec 16, 2008 at 12:45 PM
thank god someone actually took the time to read the letter! I PRAY that these little ones can find peace this christmas!

Posted by: Believer Location: Waco on Dec 16, 2008 at 12:22 PM
I am so glad that this little girl had someone to believe in...obviously, not in her own family!! I hope that their lives have not destroyed by this monster! Please don't put these girls in the hands of CPS!!

Posted by: Disgusted on Dec 16, 2008 at 12:00 PM
What a nasty man.... I hope he gets 99 years.... Why should he be set free, OH Yeah so he can do it again that's right .... of course the law will let him out on probation... and another little child will fall prey......

Posted by: anonymous Location: waco on Dec 16, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Too sad she couldnt trust another adult (like mom!) Thank God it is Christmas and she can trust Santa! God bless & keep the little children safe!

Posted by: Reason Location: Belton on Dec 16, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Hollills~~could not have said it any better.

Posted by: HOLLILLS on Dec 16, 2008 at 10:53 AM
I'm SO glad Santa came early for this little girl and her sister.

Posted by: Merry Location: Christmas on Dec 16, 2008 at 10:23 AM
How sad that she didn't feel like she could go to her parents for help. She probably doesn't have parents and this is her guardian or aquaintance of her guardian. Pray for this little girl... at least she still has some of her innocense left to ask Santa for help.

Posted by: Kim Location: Temple on Dec 16, 2008 at 10:11 AM
How sad. That poor child had to write a letter to Santa Clause in order to stop her abuse. She should have had help sooner instead of having to depend on "Santa".

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