Melissa Huckaby could face the death penalty if found guilty of kidnapping, raping and murdering 8-year-old Sandra Cantu.

The 28-year-old Sunday school teacher from Tracy, CA, was in tears during her brief time before the judge yesterday, her first court appearance since her arrest. Security was tight, and there was a phalanx of press at the hearing. Members of the Cantu and Huckaby families sat on opposite sides of the courtroom, the LA Times reports, with some of Sandra’s supporters wearing T-shirts with her picture.

Huckaby, whose hands and feet were chained, was charged with murder with the special circumstances of kidnapping, rape with a foreign object and lewd or lascivious conduct with a child. She did not enter a plea. So far, the district attorney hasn’t decided whether to seek the death penalty, but it is an option, given the gravity of the charges she faces; life without parole is another option.

Huckaby has already undergone mental evaluation for a previous theft conviction, noted District Attorney James Willett, adding, "obviously any mental issues will have an effect on this case." Huckaby’s public defender asked for another medical evaluation. Huckaby’s arraignment will continue April 24. Sandra and Huckaby’s families have been asked to not talk to the media about the case anymore.

Meanwhile, KCRA-TV learned that Huckaby claims Sandra’s murder was "an accident." The TV station also reports that another search warrant was executed upon Huckaby’s home, because she admitted writing a note with the street names of where Sandra’s body was found.

Sandra’s body was discovered stuffed in a suitcase that was thrown into an irrigation pond near her Tracy mobile-home park. She was last seen on her way to Huckaby’s house, to play with her 5-year-old daughter. It’s thought that Sandra was raped and killed in the nearby church in which Huckaby’s family runs.

Watch footage of Huckaby’s arraignment below: