Juliani Cardenas: 4-Year-Old Found Dead in Stanislaus County

by Jordan Yerman | February 1, 2011 at 03:25 pm

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Juliani Cardenas Found Dead in Canal

Juliani Cardenas, a four-year-old boy kidnapped on January 18, was found dead in the Delta-Mendota Canal in Stanislaus County, California.

According to the Merced County Sheriff's Department, Juliani Cardenas was grabbed out of his grandmother's arms by Jose Rodriguez, his mother's ex-boyfriend.

Jose Rodriguez' car was found submerged 30 miles away in the same canal. A warrant is out for Rodriguez' arrest, but it has been deemed likely that he is also dead in the canal.

The body found in the Delta-Mendota Canal was that of a boy Juliani Cardenas' age, wearig Cardenas' clothes. A DNA test will be performed to confirm the identity of the body.

Investigators say Juliani was snatched from his home in Patterson on Jan. 18 by his mother's ex-boyfriend, Jose Rodriguez.

Juliani’s mother, Tabitha Cardenas, was notified right away when the body was found. She reacted to the news by writing the following post on her Facebook page:

“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 have 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….=’(“