PATTERSON, Calif. — A body believed to be that of Juliani Cardenas was found Tuesday morning in the Delta-Mendota Canal near Santa Nella, Calif., 31 miles south of where he was snatched from his grandmother’s arms at her home in Patterson.
No positive identification has been made, and DNA results won’t be back for a couple of weeks, according to Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson.
However, at about 11:10 a.m., about four hours after the body of a child was discovered by a canal worker, a posting went up on the Facebook page of Juliani’s mom, Tabitha Cardenas, that read: “I have the worst news in the world to tell you all . . . My son’s body has been found in the canal no DNA has confirmed it but its his clothes and shoes and it’s a 4 year old boy. So I want everyone to pray that Jose’s body is found so we can all know that he’s burning in HELL and I don’t have to worry about him taking my unborn baby girl. . . .”
She then followed up two minutes later: “I’m not talking to the press or anyone else I just had to let you all know before the news does . . . I love you all very much and my son does too. He’s my lil angel now and believe me I’m crying as I am writing this to you all . . .”
The body was found 31 miles south of Patterson, where investigators believe Juliani and alleged abductor Jose Esteban Rodriguez entered the canal in Rod riguez’s car Jan. 18.
The search for Juliani was focused on the Delta-Mendota Canal, from which the Toyota belonging to Rodriguez was pulled out Friday. No bodies were in the car.
Even though investigators believe the body of Rodriguez is in the canal, Christianson said “this is a homicide case” and issued a warrant for the arrest of Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, who had a criminal past, was Tabitha Cardenas’ ex-boyfriend. She is almost nine months pregnant with his child.
Christianson said there will be no search for Rodriguez, although canal workers and others along the canal have been alerted to be on the lookout for a body.
