Christopher Michael Barrios Jr.

Christopher Michael Barrios Jr.

January 2, 2001 - March 8, 2007

Christopher Michael Barrios Jr. was born on January 2, 2001. When he was six years old he was reported missing. He was last seen alive on March 8, 2007 around 6:15 p.m. playing on a swing near his grandmother's home. He was abducted by George Edenfield and George's parents, David Edenfield, and Peggy Edenfield. A family friend named Donald Dale helped kidnap Christopher, and hide his body afterwards, though he appeared to have nothing else to do with the death of the child.

Christopher was reported missing, and his body was found just a few days later. After Christopher's body was found, what happened to the little boy began surfacing too. It is believed that Christopher was lured into the Edenfield's mobile home as he was walking from the swing set back to his Grandmother's home for dinner.

Inside the mobile home, they held Christopher captive. George and David Edenfield, both registered sex offenders, took turns sodomizing Christopher. Peggy watched as her son and husband raped the six year old boy. While she watched, she masturbated. At one point during the attack, both George and David performed oral sex on Christopher. When they were done raping him, they choked him to death.

The three sickening criminals tried to hide what they had done. David and George used clothing to try and clean fluid from ejaculation off of themselves. They also used soap and water to attempt to get rid of fingerprints they left on Christopher when they strangled him. When they thought they had hid anything that might tie them to Christopher's death, they wrapped his body in trash bags. They then called their friend, Donald Dale, who helped them dispose of Christopher's body.

As stated earlier, David and George were convicted sex offenders. David had raped his daughter years before, and George had molested two little boys, aged seven and nine prior to their assault and murder of Christopher. Neither received any time in prison for their actions until Christopher's death.

Cassandra Lynn Williamson

Cassandra Lynn Williamson

November 23, 1995 - July 26, 2002

Cassandra Lynn Williamson was six years old when she passed away. Her nick-name was Casey, and many people called her that. She liked riding her bicycle with other children in her neighborhood. Casey was last seen alive wearing her only her nightgown. She was barefoot. She was getting a piggyback ride from a man. He was taking her down the street. It is believed that Cassandra went with this man willingly. The police charged Johnny Johnson with Cassandra's murder. Johnny Johnson was a twenty-four year old homeless man who was from the area. He was charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed criminal action and attempted forcible rape in the killing. The preliminary findings from an autopsy showed that Casey died from blows to the head. Johnny Johnson had spent the previous night in Casey's home with her family. He told investigators that the abduction was planned, and that Casey trusted him. Shortly after she went missing, Casey's body was found in the ruins of a glass factory less than a mile from her home. A neighbor who had helped search for Cassandra had a six year old son who played with her. The little boy asked "Can I still play with Casey even though she's in Heaven?"

Somer Renee Thompson

Somer Renee Thompson

April 5, 2002 - October 19, 2009

Somer Renee Thompson was born on April 5, 2002. She had a twin brother named Samuel. Somer loved to dance, play dress up, draw and color. Her favorite color was purple. Somer's parents separated, and Somer lived with her mother. She also lived with her older brother, older sister, and twin brother. She was a very happy little girl. 

On Monday, October 19, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. Somer was released from her elementary school. She met her siblings and they began the mile long walk home from school. They walked this way very often, so it wasn't unusual. During the walk home, Somer got in an argument with another little girl from her school. Somer was angry, so she ran off. 

Somer's older sister thought that Somer would catch up with them. However, when they reached the second crossing guard, Somer wasn't waiting for them. Witnesses say that Somer walked about 500 yards away from her school, and then stopped to rest at a tree. The tree was in the yard of Jarred Harrell. Jarred approached Somer and got her to follow him into his house. He said his dog was inside. Somer had stopped to pet this dog on her way home from school before.

Once Somer was inside the house, Jarred raped her. He then strangled her and disposed of her body. When Somer's siblings got home and realized she wasn't there, they told their parents. Somer was reported missing, but two days later her body was found in a landfill. Five months after this, Jarred Harrell was charged with Somer's murder. Later, Somer's twin brother would give a strong message to Somer's murderer.

Samuel faced the man who raped and killed his twin sister and said "You know you did this, and now you're going to jail." By this time, Samuel had lived two years without his sister. He was now nine years old, but because of Jarred Harrell Somer would forever be seven.

Samantha Bree Runnion

Samantha Bree Runnion

July 26, 1996 - July 15, 2002

Samantha Bree Runnion was born on July 26, 1996. People described Samantha as beautiful, bright, and joyful. Samantha loved to read, write stories, play her guitar, paint, draw, sing, and dance. Samantha especially loved playing games with her family and friends. Samantha was looking forward to growing up. At five years old, she had already planned to become a mommy and a teacher.

On July 15, 2002, five year old Samantha was outside her home playing with her friend, Sarah. Sarah was the same age as Samantha. A man approached the girls in a car and asked them "Have you seen my chihuahua?" Samantha was a very nice and kind little girl, and she loved animals. She spoke with the man briefly, telling him that she didn't see his dog. Before anything else could happen, the man had pulled Samantha into his car and started driving off.

Samantha fought to get free, and managed to scream out to her friend Sarah, "Help me! Tell my grandmother!" Sarah ran and told her mother about what had just happened to Samantha. The search began quickly. Sarah as only five years old, but she was able to give a very good description of the man who she saw kidnap her friend. She was also able to give details about his car. 

On July 16, 2002, the day after Samantha was kidnapped, a distraught man called 911 reporting that he had found a body. He said the body was that of a little girl, and that she was nude. He found the body along rural Highway 74. Authorities soon confirmed that the body belonged to Samantha. An autopsy reported that Samantha had been sexually assaulted, suffered physical trauma, and was strangled. The murderer spent several hours with Samantha before he killed her.

Orange County Sheriff Michael Carona delivered a strong message to the killer: "Don't sleep. Don't eat. Because we're coming after you. We will take every resource that's available to us to bring you to justice." Caller’s tips lead the FBI to Alejandro Avila, 27, a production line supervisor from nearby Lake Elsinore. Avila reportedly denied any involvement in the murder, telling the police that he was 30 miles away on the day of the abduction. Phone and credit card records did not support his alibi. 

Avila had previously been to the apartment complex where Samantha lived during 1998 and 1999. His ex-girlfriend’s daughter lived in the same complex as the Runnion family. His relationship with the woman ended in 1999 and in 2000. In 2001, Avila was charged with molestation of her nine-year-old daughter and another young girl, but was acquitted on all charges.Avila was arrested and charged with the murder, kidnapping, and two counts of forcible lewd acts on Samantha Runnion.

Sandra Renee Cantu

Sandra Renee Cantu

March 8, 2001 - March 27, 2009

Sandra Renee Cantu was born on March 8, 2001. Her neighbors and teachers described her as outgoing and friendly. Sandra's aunt said that Sandra was full of life and very loving. Sandra loved gardening, cooking, and coloring. She also loved Hannah Montana and liked to sing the song "Best of Both Worlds".

Just a short while before she died, Sandra celebrated her eighth birthday. Just nine days after her birthday on March 27, 2009, Sandra came home from school and kissed her mother and then left to go play with one of her friends who lived near her house. A surveillance video of the town shows Sandra happily skipping over to her friend's home. Sandra never returned home.

Sandra was reported missing, but her body was found on April 6, 2009. It is assumed that she was killed very soon after she was kidnapped. Sandra's body was found inside of a suitcase that had been dumped into a dairy farm. The black suitcase belonged to a woman named Melissa Huckaby. This woman was the daughter of the minister at Sandra's church. She was also the mother of a daughter. Her daughter was a bit younger than Sandra, but sometimes, she and Sandra played together.

Melissa claimed that she left the suitcase in her driveway the day Sandra was murdered. Sandra had been strangled with a torn piece of cloth. Sandra had been sexually assaulted with an object, and inside the suitcase was a rolling pin with Sandra's DNA on it. It is believed that the rolling pin was the object Sandra had been assaulted with. Sandra suffered a cut to her lip, abrasions to her elbow, and injuries to her genitals.

Melissa plead guilty to first degree murder, but said that she did not sexually assault Sandra. The sexual assault charges were dropped as part of the plea deal.

Shaniya Nicole Davis

Shaniya Nicole Davis

February 14, 2004 - October 11, 2009

Shaniya Nicole Davis was born on February 14, 2004. Shaniya was raised by her father, Bradley Lockhart, and his sister, Carey. Shaniya was described as a happy and friendly little girl who loved playing outside and riding her scooter. Her favorite colors were pink and yellow and she loved helping around the house. She also enjoyed playing dress-up, and going to school in her Kindergarten class.

In September of 2009, Shaniya's mother, Antoinette Davis, contacted Shaniya's father. She told him that she wanted to start having contact with her daughter. Shaniya's mother had struggled in the past, but it appeared that she had gotten her life back together. She had a job, and a place to live.

In November of 2009, a neighbor of Antoinette Davis heard banging noises outside her home. This occurred around 3:00 a.m. At 6:11 the same day, a surveillance camera at a 'Comfort Suites' hotel caught a man carrying Shaniya through the hallway.

The man checked into the hotel with Shaniya, and he stayed for about an hour. At 6:53 a.m., Antoinette reported Shaniya missing from her home. People started searching for Shaniya, believing she had been kidnapped. A blanket belonging to Shaniya was found in a trashcan outside one of Shaniya's neighbor's homes.

Soon after this, Clarence D. Coe is charged with first degree kidnapping. Clarence was Antoinette's boyfriend, and a neighbor saw him drive out of the town with Shaniya with him. Clarence swore that he wasn't guilty, and police identified the man who carried Shaniya on the hotel video as Mario Andrette McNeill.

Shaniya and her father

Around this time, Shaniya's father makes an emotional public plea for the return of his daughter. Soon after this, Mario admits to kidnapping Shaniya. The charges against Clarence are dropped. It didn't take long after this for Shaniya's mother to be charged with human trafficking. Antoinette Davis sold five year old Shaniya to Mario McNeill for the purpose of sexual slavery.

Soon after Antoinette is charged with this, Shaniya's body is discovered. She had been raped, and then murdered by Mario McNeill.