Charity event for slain boy Saturday

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http://www.examiner.com/crime-in-national/juliani-cardenas-case-charity-event-saturday-will-honor-slain-boy-video Juliani Cardenas case: Charity event Saturday will honor slain boy


(video) February 3rd, 2011 11:13 am ETDo you like this story? Juliani Cardenas case: Charity event Saturday will honor slain boy (video)

A motorcycle club in Patterson, California is planning a charity event to take place this upcoming weekend to honor slain 4-year-old boy, Juliani Cardenas.

A child’s body that fit’s Juliani’s physical description, was found in the Delta Mendota-Canal in Merced County Tuesday morning by a water authority worker. Although authorities have announced the body is that of the missing boy, they are still waiting for results from a DNA test for official confirmation.

On Wednesday, officials announced that the little boy died due to drowning.

Stanislaus County Sheriff's Deputy Royjindhar Singh said “The cause of death our coroner division determined to be fresh water drowning… we’re still working with the department of justice to get DNA test results back for the positive identification.”

Hooligans Motorcycle Club had initially planned the upcoming ride to raise money to search for Juliani, however, it has now been turned into a memorial charity ride.

“For me being a father myself in this community, I can’t imagine what they’re going through so we’re just trying to do just anything we can do to support the family… through this tough time,” said club Vice President Steve Pacheco.

Juliani was with his grandmother on Jan. 18 when police say he was snatched by his mother’s ex-boyfriend, Jose Rodriguez, 27. Reports indicate Tabitha Cardenas broke up with Rodriguez about five months ago, and now carries his unborn child. An eyewitness reported seeing a vehicle matching the description of Rodriguez’s driving into the canal on Jan. 19. The report indicated a man and boy were inside the car.

To see photos of Juliani and Rodriguez, click here.

The vehicle was found in the canal Friday evening, but was empty. Divers were unable to locate either Juliani’s or Rodriguez’s body, thus searching of canal waters ended on Sunday.

Deputy Singh told ABC 30, “We still have officers and deputies assigned to patrol the canal because our investigators still believe that Jose Rodriguez’s body is somewhere in the canal. But just in case he got out of the canal, we have a deputy assigned to the Cardenas house just in case he tried to come back to the house.”

Earlier reports also indicate that a homicide warrant has been issued for Rodriguez, should he be alive.

Those who want to take part in the charity ride should meet at the Patterson 76 gas station Saturday, Feb. 5, at noon. The ride will come to an end at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Modesto. According to the report, the restaurant is planning to donate a portion of all food sales taking place Saturday between 11: a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to Juliani’s family.