KATHERINE CARDENAS - 2 yo (2009)/ Convicted: Jose Eduardo Arredondo - Laredo TX

The Laredo police department is still not releasing any new information in the case of the death of a two-year-old girl.
    Not even the medical examiner will comment on the cause of death.
    But the case has touched many in the community.
Police are calling the death the most gruesome they have ever seen  yet they still wont tell us the details.
    Today we went by the home were the two-year-old girl was found Saturday morning.
As you can see an outpouring of sympathy for the family, stuff animals,
dolls and even an angel stand in the front lawn of the home.
    Neighbors have also put candles in memory of Katherine Cardenas.
    At this point police are still going through evidence.
    And are interviewing family members and friends of the family to find out what happened.
    According to police an officer found the girl inside a storage cabinet outside of the home.
    They won’t comment on the conditions of the girl but they do say the case hits home.
Joe Baeza, Laredo Police Department:
"They
all have children and they are fathers. So whenever you deal with a
case specifically with a victim this young it is important for them."
    After performing an autopsy Medical Examiner Coreen Stern ruled the case a homicide yesterday.
    Right now police say they are following strong leads in the case.

It’s been one year since two-year-old Katherine Cardenas was found brutally murdered at her west Laredo home.
Since then, arrests have been made and her accused murderer awaits his day in court.
The house where this all happened doesn't look the same anymore, but for the Cardenas family, the pain hasn't gone away.
Dealing with death is not easy, but it’s been especially difficult for members
of one Laredo family who gather around the grave of two-year-old
Katherine Cardenas, admitting they still cannot let go.
“It was something very sad,” says Katherine’s grandmother, Sylvia Cardenas.
Something “we still cannot overcome. And something I think we will never overcome.”
It’s been one year since the tiny toddler was found dead outside her west Laredo home.
She had apparently gone missing the day before.
Reportedly found strangled and allegedly raped, the baby's death struck a chord
with an entire community, including authorities.
Teddy bears and balloons are left in her memory.
In the months following, then 16-year-old Jose Arredondo would be arrested,
charged with capital murder, two counts of aggravated sexual assault
and one count of aggravated kidnapping and certified to stand trial as an adult.
One year later, he is still in isolation at the Webb County Jail held without bond.
Even harder for the family, Katherine Cardenas' own mother would also head to jail.
Arrested in January of this year, she would plead guilty to four counts
of child abandonment and is currently serving a two-year sentence
and still faces one count of sexual assault of a minor.
Jose Arredondo, who is accused of killing Cardenas, is awaiting trial.
He's expected to be in court later this month.
Katherine's mother, Norma Patricia Olguin, still faces once count of sexual assault of a minor.
The two-year-olds' six siblings remain in foster care.

Accused teen in Katherine Cardenas murder awaits adult certification
By Ray Gomez

Story Created: Oct 13, 2009 at 5:08 PM CDT
The teen accused of killing 2-year-old Katherine Cardenas is still in a lock-up as he awaits to be certified as an adult.
Tonight we have exclusive photos across the border.
Even though we know his name, we won't release it to the public until he is certified as an adult.
We’re also blurring out his face to kept his identity somewhat secret until that happens.
While it is not against the law to identify or show teens that commit crimes, it is a moral issue that we take seriously.
After being escorted across the border from Nuevo Laredo, the teenager was sent to a juvenile facility in Duval County.
We’re told he'll stay there until Webb County can try him as an adult.
The district attorney's office is planning to make a capital murder case, one of the first in Webb County in more than a decade since it was such a horrendous crime.
http://www.pro8news.com/news/blog/64150432.html

Teen indicted in Katherine Cardenas murder, death ruled strangulation
By KGNS News

Story Created: Jun 15, 2010

Story Updated: Jun 15, 2010
Nine months after her death, we now know the cause of death of two year old Katherine Cardenas.
The information is in an indictment presented to a grand jury earlier today.
According to the indictment, 16 year old Jose Arredondo allegedly caused the two year old's death by strangulation.
Also in the indictment, it states Arredondo caused the penetration of the sexual organ of Katherine Cardenas.
After a lengthy hearing with a grand jury today, the indictment was handed down this afternoon.
The district attorney will be the lead prosecutor in the case.
Arredondo is being charged with capital murder in the death of baby Katherine, along with two counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of aggravated kidnapping.
The murder of the two year old girl happened back in September of last year, and it took more than six months for the teen to be certified to stand trial as an adult.
Arredondo is being held in the Webb County Jail, in isolation from the general population, for his own safety.
If convicted, Arredondo could face life in prison, but not the death penalty.
http://www.pro8news.com/news/96438424.html

Family remembers Katherine Cardenas one year later
By KGNS News

Story Created: Sep 5, 2010

Story Updated: Sep 5, 2010
It’s been one year since two-year-old Katherine Cardenas was found brutally murdered at her west Laredo home.

Since then, arrests have been made and her accused murdered waits his day in court.

The house where this all happened doesn't look the same anymore, but for the Cardenas family, the pain hasn't gone away.

Dealing with death is not easy, but it’s been especially difficult for members of one Laredo family who gather around the grave of two-year-old Katherine Cardenas, admitting they still cannot let go.

“It was something very sad,” says Katherine’s grandmother, Sylvia Cardenas. Something “we still cannot overcome. And something I think we will never overcome.”

It’s been one year since the tiny toddler was found dead outside her west Laredo home.

She had apparently gone missing the day before.

Reportedly found strangled and allegedly raped, the baby's death struck a chord with an entire community, including authorities.

Teddy bears and balloons are left in her memory.

In the months following, then 16-year-old Jose Arredondo would be arrested charged with capital murder, two counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of aggravated kidnapping and certified to stand trial as an adult.

One year later, he is still in isolation at the Webb County Jail held without bond.

Even harder for the family, Katherine Cardenas' own mother would also head to jail.

Arrested in January of this year, she would plead guilty to four counts of child abandonment and is currently serving a two-year sentence and still faces one count of sexual assault of a minor.

Jose Arredondo, who is accused of killing Cardenas, is awaiting trial.

He's expected to be in court later this month.

Katherine's mother, Norma Patricia Olguin, still faces once count of sexual assault of a minor.

The two-year-olds six siblings remain in foster care.
http://www.pro8news.com/news/Family-remembers-Katherine-Cardenas-one-year-later-102272999.html

Katherine Cardenas' mother facing felony charges

By KGNS News


Story Created: Jan 14, 2010 Story Updated: Jan 14, 2010
We have a major development to report in the case of two-year-old Katherine Cardenas.

The two-year-old girl was found dead at her home back in September of last year.

Many people have been wondering why her mother was never held responsible, but she's facing felony charges now.

Norma Palacios Holguin has been indicted on 13 felony counts.

Twelve of those are for child abandonment; the other for aggravated sexual assault of a minor.

According to the Webb County District Attorney, the charges stem from the woman allegedly leaving her children alone at home.
http://www.pro8news.com/news/81608902.html

Baby Cardenas' Alleged Killer Pleads Not Guilty

By KGNS News


Story Created: Jun 26, 2010 Story Updated: Jun 27, 2010
Two-year-old Katherine Cardenas' alleged killer pleads not guilty to capital murder charges. After a lengthy process before a grand jury Friday, and after finally being indicted--16-year-old Jose Arredondo plead not guilty for the alleged murder of baby Katherine. Arredondo is being charged with capital murder, along with two counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of aggravated kidnapping. Court documents state the 2-year-old died from strangulation and was also allegedly raped. Last week, District Attorney Isidro "Chilo" Alaniz told Pro 8 News that even though the case has received much media attention, the trial will likely stay in Laredo. Alaniz will also be the lead prosecutor in that case.
http://www.pro8news.com/news/97233489.html

District Attorney preparing for Cardenas case

By KGNS News


Story Created: Apr 6, 2010 Story Updated: Apr 7, 2010
The District Attorney's office will start reviewing evidence in the Katherine Cardenas murder case on Monday.
Sixteen year old Jose Arredondo was certified to stand trial as an adult last week.
Arredondo faces one count of capital murder, two counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of aggravated kidnapping.
If found guilty, Arredondo could face life in prison without parole, but not the death penalty.
He is currently being held in the Webb County Jail without bond.
He is isolated from the general population for his own safety.
Katherine Cardenas' mother, 27 year old Norma Patricia Olguin will have a pre-trial on April 12th.
Olguin is facing one count of sexual assault of a child and 12 counts of abandoning a child.
http://www.pro8news.com/news/90055382.html

http://www.pro8news.com/results?keywords=katherine+cardenas&searchType=gen&startmonth=1&startday=1&startyear=2001&endmonth=10&endday=12&endyear=2010&children=true&submit=Search&pg=4&order=date

they have done an excellent job covering this case -

Dr. Nelson refuses to comment on LISD truant officer case, spokesperson sends condolences to Cardenas family

By Ray Gomez


Story Created: Oct 21, 2009 Story Updated: Oct 21, 2009
Laredo ISD board members and superintendent Dr. Marcus Nelson did not take any action involving a truancy officer who failed to report kids alone at a Westside home.

According to LISD spokesperson, the superintendent last night presented information about the case to the LISD board members.

They discussed the incident behind close doors for a couple of hours. Then came back with no action taken in the matter.

Dr. Nelson would not grant us an interview today, but his LISD spokesperson says he gave his condolences to the Katherine Cardenas family:

"This is a very serious issue concerning our LISD community. The fact that a life was lost makes this a priority and how we handle it.”

Dr. Nelson says he will meet with Santa Maria Elementary employees next week.

That's the school were the truant officer was based out of before he was fired.

He went to check on the well-being of one of Katherine Cardenas’ siblings the day before her death and found little Katherine and others alone at home.

The truant officer told several others at Santa Maria Elementary including the principal and counselors and they failed to do anything either.

Little Katherine was killed hours later.

http://www.pro8news.com/news/65339072.html

LISD fires truant officer, suspends principal in connection with Katherine Cardenas murder

By Ray Gomez


Story Created: Oct 13, 2009 Story Updated: Oct 14, 2009
A Laredo Independent School District attendance officer has been arrested and terminated this afternoon and the principal of Santa Maria Elementary placed on administrative leave.
All this for failing to report neglect and abandonment of 4 young children back in September, one being Katherine Cardenas who was later found dead.
An LISD attendance officer has been arrested this afternoon and a campus administrator has been placed on leave in connection with Katherine Cardenas, the young girl found dead last month.
LISD police officers arrested district attendance officer Ricardo Perez this afternoon for his failure to notify child protective services of the abandonment of Cardenas and her brothers and sisters.
"He was charged with a class b misdemeanor for failure to report neglect of children to child protective services. He was also terminated from employment with lLISD," LISD Communications Director told Pro 8 News.
2-year-old Katherine Cardenas was later found dead inside of a storage unit located outside of her home.
According to LISD officials, the principal of Santa Maria Elementary, Nora Santos and 3 other staff members instructed Perez to call CPS after discovering the unsupervised children. Since this was not done in this case, Santos has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the district’s internal investigation.
We will bring you more on this developing story at 6 and 10.
http://www.pro8news.com/home/breaking/64126107.html

Santa Maria Elementary principal reinstated

By KGNS News


Story Created: Mar 19, 2010 Story Updated: Mar 19, 2010
The principal for Santa Maria Elementary will be back at work on Monday morning.

She was reinstated on Friday, March 12th, after being placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation in the case of Katherine Cardenas.

LISD truancy officer allegedly visited the Cardenas home just days before the girl was found murdered and reported a case involving the Cardenas family to the principal.

He was subsequently fired, but he filed a grievance against the district.

http://www.pro8news.com/news/88669977.html

9/26/2011 8:00:00 AM Jury Selection Open

http://www.webbcountytx.gov/judgescalendar/ViewCase.aspx?case=2010CRO000478 D1

Accused Murderer Jose Arredondo In Court
Story Created: Sep 26, 2011 CDT
Story Updated: Sep 26, 2011
Jose Eduardo Arredondo entering the 49th district court Monday morning for a hearing.
At one point looking back and smiling at his family.
It’s our first glimpse of the accused murderer since he was arrested back in June of 2010 at only 16-years-old.
This mug shot of the then juvenile shows the difference the months have made.
Months, authorities say, that for his protection have been spent in isolation at the Webb county jail.
“We refrain to make any comment to the media so we are being compliant with that agreement.”
A gag order placed on the case is keeping everyone silent.
But details spoken inside the courtroom include the defense attorney asking for a hearing about the autopsy performed on the two-year-old victim.
Recent questions surrounding the Webb county medical examiner's status and whether or not she was a valid Texas medical examiner at the time of the death have opened the door for the defense to ask if the autopsy was even valid.
Attorney Oscar Pena wouldn’t speak of the details and would only say that dates have been set.
“That’s a pretrial and a hearing on the motion to suppress.”
Details of the autopsy will be discussed in December.
The tragic case of a little girl sexually abused then strangled is one that has gained much attention since her death in September of 2009.
But justice for Katherine Cardenas will not come until the week of March 26th, when the trial is scheduled to start next year.
Annette Garcia Pro 8 news.
The 16-year-old Arredondo was arrested six months after the death of Cardenas.
About six months later he was certified to stand trial as an adult.
He faces life in prison if found guilty.

http://www.pro8news.com/news/local/Accused-Murderer-Jose-Arredondo-In-Court-130597358.html

Killer of 2-year-old gets four life sentences

By Jason Buch : April 4, 2012
Updated: April 5, 2012 12:55am

A Laredo judge has given a teenager four life sentences for raping and murdering a 2-year-old girl.

Jose Eduardo Arredondo, 18, was sentenced Tuesday in the 2009 killing of Katherine Cardenas. The details of the murder horrified residents in the border city.

“She was snatched from her home between 4 and 5 in the morning and she was taken to the northeast corner of the property behind a wooden shed, where ... she was brutally raped and beat and then strangled to the point of death,” said Webb County District Attorney Isidro “Chilo” Alaniz, who prosecuted the case.

A jury earlier Tuesday convicted Arredondo on one count of capital murder, two counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of aggravated kidnapping. District Judge Joe Lopez gave Arredondo life on all counts, and stacked the two aggravated sexual assault sentences. Arredondo won't be eligible for parole for at least 70 years.

Arredondo, who was 16 at the time, had befriended Norma Patricia Olguin, a 26-year-old mother of 7 children who lived with her sister and teenage nephews, Alaniz said.

On more than one occasion, Arredondo and Olguin had sex, Alaniz said, but after a night of partying, she turned down his advances in the early morning hours of Sept. 15, 2009. Enraged and high on a cocktail of drugs, Arredondo kidnapped and raped Olguin's youngest child, Alaniz said.

Shortly after, Arredondo fled to Mexico, but he was caught and returned to the U.S. in October 2009. DNA evidence linked blood on Arredondo's jeans to his victim, and DNA collected from her clothing was linked to Arredondo, Alaniz said.

Olguin, a Mexican citizen who had legal permanent residency, was convicted of child abandonment, served two years in prison, lost custody of her children and was deported, Alaniz said. She came to the U.S. to testify in the trial and returned to Mexico on Tuesday.

Arredondo's defense attorney J. Eduardo Peña said he argued that there was no way to prove how the DNA ended up on the clothes, and that someone else could have raped and killed the child. A confession by Arredondo in a recorded phone call likely was false, Peña said, because two psychologists testified the teen suffered from “hallucinations, delusions and was out of touch with reality.”

Arredondo was certified as an adult, but because he was a juvenile at the time of the offense he was not eligible for the death penalty or life without parole. Peña said he'll be appealing the conviction and the sentence, which he said amounts to life in prison.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Laredo-teen-receives-multiple-life-sentences-in-3459790.php