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Albion Police Explain Delay in Publicizing Search for Missing Teen

By Laura Gray
February 21, 2011 Updated Feb 21, 2011 at 3:28 PM EDT


Albion, NY (WKBW) -- 16 year old Katherine Sanchez was found Friday in a shallow grave in an apple orchard. She had been missing since mid-January. Police say Sanchez was sexually assaulted and strangled by her brother in law, 21 year old Carlos Cardenas, while she was babysitting for the couple. He kept her body in a basement, police say, before moving it to the orchard.
Albion Police defend their decision to delay publicizing their investigation into Sanchez's disappearance. They released a picture and her information Friday, which was the day her body was discovered. Dean London is the Albion Police Chief. "I want to emphasize the news of her disappearance was not circulated by law enforcement because the defendant, who has been the suspect since the matter was reported to us, was not in custody and our concern was that new of the victims disappearance would hinder our investigation."
Sanchez was in tenth grade at Albion High School. Counseling sessions are available for the entire community at the school until seven tonight and tomorrow. A service for Sanchez will be held on Tuesday at six pm at the Christopher's funeral home in Albion. Cardenas was denied bail and remains in prison Monday.