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Neighbors react to the arrest in the Cardenas death case

By Ray Gomez

Story Created: Oct 9, 2009

Story Updated: Oct 12, 2009

Community members in Laredo have been very outspoken about the death of two-year-old Katherine and what they think should happen to her alleged killer.

Neighbors say there are still many questions they can't seem to find answers for--like why.

Why would someone do this to an innocent little girl?

About the only thing they did seem to know for sure is that they won't forget the tragic story of Katherine Cardenas.

“It was so cruel what he did to that little girl. It still gives me chills.”

His identity is not yet known, but it is only hours after a 16 year old is arrested in connection with the murder of two-year-old Katherine.

Neighbors say they know what his fate should be:

“Put him on the electric chair. Whatever.”

“Somebody like that is not supposed to be free. He's supposed to be put to death. I’m sorry but that’s my reaction.”

“I think over and over the instinct that everyone feels when you hear something like this is obviously powerless because there’s a child that died in a horrible way. But at least the gratitude is that now at least it sounds like the alleged perpetrator has been caught and that’s a relief.”

Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center Sylvia Bruni commends the work of law enforcement and says she, like many others, agrees the person who killed the absolutely innocent two year old should be held accountable as much as the law allows.

“Someone mentioned the other day that they hadn’t heard of a case that attracted so much reaction like this case but because we all think of our own children.”

The District Attorney says he will push for the 16 year old to be tried as an adult on charges of capital murder.

“Adult crimes deserve adult time and our intention is to proceed with the maximum punishment available to hold this person accountable.”

“The teddy bears balloons and flowers are now gone but people living in this area said they haven’t forgotten the tragic day.”

“To be honest I was terrified. How could someone do something like this to a little girl.”

Though the shock for many has not passed, there is at least some sense of relief within the neighborhood.

“We ask that he be well punished for what he did to that child. She was only a little girl.”

The last time anyone was charged and tried for capital murder here in Laredo was in the early 90's.

The Webb County District Attorney's Office Juvenile Department will now begin the process of certifying the 16 year old as an adult.

A capital murder charge for a juvenile can be punishable with up to life in prison.