Hanford, CA-Hanford couple arrested for abusing and sexually assaulting woman’s stepdaughter

Kings County-A Hanford couple was arrested on Saturday after they abused and sexually assaulted the woman’s juvenile stepdaughter.

According to the King County Sheriff’s Office, Laurie Lutz, 46, and boyfriend Gregory Cantu, 30, are accused of beating the girl with a belt causing several minor injuries. Lutz later left the girl aloe with Cantu and he sexually assaulted her. Cantu is a registered sex offender on parole for a sex offense. The girl was able to get away and authorities were contacted Saturday morning.

Investigators learned that Lutz picked up the girl from family members under false pretenses and took her to the Stardust Motel on Lacey Boulevard near Highways 43 and 198 where the beating took place. 
Police say, when Cantu was alone with the girl, he touched her inappropriately and kissed her against her will. He then threatened the girl and told her to not tell anyone. The girl convinced Cantu to walk with her to a nearby store and managed to run away after she got out of the motel room and contact authorities .

Deputies tried to contact Cantu at the motel but he instead tried to flee out a back window. He was caught and taken into custody and booked into the Kings County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office, on charges of child endangerment, lewd and lascivious act with a child under 14 and victim intimidation. Lutz was arrested and booked into the jail on a charge of child endangerment.