The mother of Celina Cass’ step-father, Wendell Noyes, said she fears he will face traumatic questioning like she and other family members experienced last Friday if he is also called to testify before a grand jury investigating the murder of the 11-year-old girl.

Eunice Richards, 77, of Canaan, Vt., believes Wendell will be ordered to testify because he was the target of most of the questions she and other family members were asked last week in Coos County Superior Court in Lancaster.

“I do think they are trying to implicate (Wendell)...,” Richards said.

When a state trooper subpoenaed her almost two weeks ago, Richards asked him if Wendell would be at court the day she was required to appear.

"The state trooper said, ‘Not this time,’” leading Richards to believe the grand jury will meet again, and that Wendell will be compelled to testify.

The court clerk’s office confirmed Thursday that a grand jury will sit on Monday.

“It was traumatic for all of us,” Richards said of the questioning.

Richards slept at the Noyes’ West Stewartstown apartment the night before Celina, 11, was reported missing, but said she went to bed early and didn’t see anything suspicious that night or early the next day.

Celina lived with her mother, Louisia Noyes, step-father Wendell, 46, sister Kayla, 14, and boarder Kevin Mullaney, 23, who has since been jailed on unrelated charges.

Celina was last seen playing at the computer in the living room July 25, 2011. Her body was discovered a week later after a massive search, submerged in the Connecticut River, a quarter-mile from home. She was found wrapped in a blanket.

Richards said she and son Josh Richards of Clarksville each testified for long stretches before the grand jury Friday.

Richards’ daughter, Winnie O’Neil, and daughter-in-law, Telina Richards, Josh’s wife, were questioned to the point of tears in a separate room, Richards said, adding she almost broke down at times.

“Winnie cried and her husband had to go into the room,” Richards said.

Celina’s mother, Louisia Noyes, separated from Wendell and moved to Lemington, Vt., after Celina’s slaying. Richards said Wendell told her he had nothing to do with Celina’s death.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young was relentless in her questioning, Richards said.

“I should have asked Jane Young why are they pushing us,” Richards said. “They don’t have anything and they are looking for something.” Young said she couldn’t comment on any proceedings involving a grand jury.

“I can say that we are in contact with the lead investigators on this case two or three times a day, including today,” Young said. “The police, our office — everyone involved — is working to bring the murderer, or murderers, in this case to justice.”

Richards said Celina’s mother should appear before the grand jury as well.

“There’s no reason she shouldn’t be called,” Richards said.

Reached by phone Thursday night, Louisia said she hasn’t been called before the grand jury, but would testify if it would help find Celina’s killer.

“Right now I don’t think I’m in any shape to testify,” Louisia said. “I’m a wreck. Put yourself in my shoes.” Louisia said she took and passed a lie detector test, but doesn’t know if Wendell took one. Wendell Noyes couldn’t be reached for comment.

Kevin Mullaney is the son of Louisia’s former boyfriend, Mark Mullaney, with whom she recently rekindled a relationship. Kevin is being held in lieu of $31,000 bail at Coos County Jail. He is charged with receiving stolen property, felon in possession of a dangerous weapon, forgery and contempt of court.

Richards acknowledged that Wendell was accused of threatening a former girlfriend eight years ago, but said that incident wasn’t all his fault. She has never known him to be violent, Richards said.

Richards said Wendell does suffer from mental illness, but always takes medication to control it.