The years of sexual abuse allegedly occurred girl's own bedroom while family members slept.
Cantu was arrested Friday and charged with continuous sexual abuse of a young child. His bond was set at $100,000. If convicted, Cantu could face 25 to 99 year in prison.
The girl wrote her letter to Santa Dec. 11.
The following day, she was interviewed at the Children's Advocacy Center in Edinburg, which works with abused children. There, she told authorities the details of her molestation, according the complaint.
The counselor who reported the situation to police could not be reached for comment Monday. Pharr police investigators also could not be reached to discuss the alleged crime.
The charge against Cantu is a new one, created by the Texas legislature last year. It is part of a series of changes to the penal code called Jessica's Law, designed to heighten punishments of sexual predators. |