She Was Stolen From Her Home. One Year Later, She Called the Police

Where is Anthonette Cayedito?

Anyone who ever met Anthonette Cayedito could tell she was a very special girl. Affectionately nicknamed “Squirrel” by friends and family, she was described as a kind and gentle spirit; a lover of music (especially Michael Jackson), the color purple, and her Bible studies; dedicated in school and wise beyond her years; and exceedingly maternal. At only six years old, she was helping her single mother, Penny, raise her two little sisters, Wendy and Sadie. She cooked their meals, did their laundry, and occasionally babysat them. Everyone believed she had a bright future ahead of her. Unfortunately for the young girl, she would never get to see it.

On the evening of April 6, 1986, Penny Cayedito left her three daughters at their Gallup, New Mexico home in the care of a babysitter and went out with some friends. She returned home a few hours later, around midnight, and dismissed the babysitter, briefly checking on the girls before heading off to bed herself. She woke at seven the next morning to take her daughters to Bible school. She was met with a horrifying shock when she went to rouse them. Wendy and Sadie were in their beds, but Anthonette was gone. She was only nine years old.