The Salinas Police Officers Association launched a fund Friday for three children allegedly abused while in the custody of a woman and a teen who are expected to face charges of murder, torture and causing great bodily injury.
Tami Joy Huntsman, 39, and Gonzalo Curiel, 17, are accused of abusing a 9-year-old girl who was found Dec. 11 at an apartment in Quincy, a community in Plumas County, and murdering two children whose bodies were found at a Redding storage unit on Sunday, according to police.
While the two children haven't been positively identified, they are believed to be 6-year-old Shaun Tara and 3-year-old Delylah Tara, according to the Monterey County District Attorney Dean Flippo.
Once investigators found the 9-year-old girl, they began searching for Shaun and Delylah at a Fremont Street apartment in Salinas, where the suspects had lived, police said.
Monterey County prosecutors anticipate charging Curiel as an adult and both suspects will be transferred to Monterey County Jail once investigators have arrest warrants for them.
The 9-year-old girl is receiving treatment and remains in protective custody, but police haven't disclosed her condition.
The suspects were arrested on Dec. 11 and remain in custody on $1 million bail each, according to police.
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Huntsman and Curiel, who are companions, recently moved from Salinas to Quincy, police said.
The suspects traveled between Salinas, Redding, Quincy and Shingletown, an unincorporated community in Shasta County, from Nov. 27 to Dec. 11, according to police.
They were also seen at a Motel 6 in Dunnigan, a community in Yolo County roughly 40 miles northwest of Sacramento, police said.
The fund has been set up through the Central Coast Federal Credit Union in Seaside.
"This is the worst case of child abuse we've ever seen," Salinas POA board member Officer Jeff Munoz said in a statement Friday. "We know there are a lot of people who feel like we do, and want to do what they can to reduce at least some of the suffering."
Salinas police and the Monterey County District Attorney's Office are the lead agencies in the case because investigators suspect the alleged abuse and murders occurred in Salinas, police said.
Contributions to the fund can be made to "SPOA Victims Fund" with a check, cash or bank transfer, police said.
Donations can also be made in person to the Salinas Police Department at 222 Lincoln Ave. in Salinas or Central Coast Federal Credit Union's branches in Seaside, Salinas, Soledad and King City. Checks can be mailed to the Central Coast Federal Credit Union at 4242 Gigling Road, Seaside, CA 93955.
