TRACY (California) - RELATIVES of a Sunday school teacher arrested in the killing of an 8-year-old girl found stuffed into a suitcase said on Sunday that they are baffled by the accusations against the woman they know as a loving, single parent.

Several of Melissa Huckaby's relatives appeared briefly before reporters. One man, who would only describe himself as a member of the family, read a statement saying the allegations against Huckaby were 'completely out of character.' Among the family members present was Huckaby's grandfather, Clifford Lawless, who is pastor of the nearby Clover Road Baptist Church, which was searched by authorities after the girl's body was discovered.

Sandra Cantu's body was found in Huckaby's suitcase in an irrigation pond nearly a week ago, police said.

Huckaby is the mother of the slain girl's best friend. The motive in the killing had not been determined.

Huckaby, 28, was on suicide watch at the San Joaquin County Jail, where she remained in custody on Sunday without bail on suspicion of kidnapping and killing Sandra.

Huckaby taught Sunday school at her grandfather's church and lived with him in the Orchard Estates Mobile Home Park that also was Sandra's home.

Huckaby's uncle, John Hughes Jr, told The Associated Press that his niece was from a good home, but had hit a rough patch in her life and had moved in with her grandparents in Tracy to get past her troubles.

After graduating from high school, Huckaby's path appears to have become rockier. She married, had a daughter and was divorced in a few short years. She had difficulty finding and keeping a job, partly owing to the challenges of single motherhood, Mr Hughes said.

She was arrested late on Friday, about five hours after she drove herself to the local police station at the request of officers. 'She was calm, cool and collected, then she became very emotional,' Sergeant Tony Sheneman said.

Inconsistencies in Huckaby's story led to her arrest, Sgt Sheneman said. There are no other suspects and no other arrests are expected, he said. Huckaby's arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday. -- AP