A Bakersfield mother is hoping police may have finally caught the man who kidnapped and killed her 4-year-old daughter Jessica Martinez. Jessica disappeared while playing near her apartment on May 10, 1990. It all hinges on crucial DNA evidence.

"I'm hoping that this will be it for us, but we'll have to wait and see," said Nellie Martinez, the mother of the slain little girl.

A forensic examination done on April 22 by Criminalist Brenda Smith of the Kern County District Attorney's Office found male and female DNA
evidence on Jessica's clothing.

The suspect is 55-year-old Christopher Lightsey, a convicted child molester and murderer. He now sits on death row in San Quentin.

Police documents indicate Lightsey lived at the same apartment complex at 5000 Belle Terrace during the time Jessica Martinez disappeared on May 10, 1990. Both lived within a few yards of each other.

For the past 18 years, Nellie Martinez has been waiting and hoping that Police would one day catch the man who kidnapped and killed her daughter.

"This last May, when she disappeared 18 years ago, I just really broke down. I did a lot of crying all day," said mother Nellie Martinez.

Police documents say that on May 10, 1990 the day Jessica disappeared Christopher Lightsey was at a poker party at the complex when he was sent out to buy beer. People at the party told police
Lightsey was gone "for a long time" before he finally returned.

Witnesses say Lightsey returned acting paranoid and then left the party.

Nellie Martinez says she's thankful Police have never given up in trying to find the man responsible for killing her daughter who she refers to as simply "Mi Hija".

"It really hurts, because she's still my baby and it's like I've lost rights. And I know that they can't run to me and check every minute 'hey we're going to do this and that' but hey, she's still my baby, she still hurts me, " said Jessica's mother.

Bakersfield Police say it will still take several weeks before the DNA results on Christopher Lightsey are verified.

If so, a case that has taken a heavy personal toll on a family may finally come to rest.