Tag Archive | "Savannah Hardin"

Joyce Hardin Garrard – Jessica Mae Hardin Accused of Killing 9 Yr Old Savannah Hardin

9-Year Old Alabama Girl Savannah Hardin Run to Death by Grandmother and Stepmother

It is being reported that a 9-year old Alabama girl, Savannah Hardin, is dead after being forced to run for three hours after lying to her grandmother about eating candy bars.

The girl died several days after having a seizure during the run. She was severely dehydrated during the run that caused the seizure.

Her grandmother, Joyce Hardin Garrard, and stepmother, Jessica Mae Hardin, are now being charged with murder.

Savannah Hardin died Monday at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s release said an autopsy report showed the girl was extremely dehydrated and had a very low sodium level. A state pathologist ruled it a homicide.

The sheriff’s office received calls from concerned citizens who witnessed the girl running. No other details were released, but an official with the local volunteer fire department said rescuers thought something seemed odd when they responded to a call about the child.

Both Garrard and Hardin are currently released on $500,000.00 bail and are awaiting trial.

Court records show that Robert Hardin filed for divorce in August of 2010. In his complaint, he asserted his wife was bi-polar and had alcoholic tendencies. He accused her previously of having run off with the couple’s own child. In her response, Jessica denied all of Robert’s allegations.

This story is extremely tragic and very saddening.  Both women hopefully will be found guilty of little Savannah’s murder if the details of the story and police report are accurate.  It is no less than extreme child abuse of the girl and probably not the first time she was abused in such a way.

What they did was unconscionable. Their punishment of Savannah for her ‘crime’ of eating candy bars was beyond excessive and showed little concern, care, or love for the girl.

Our thoughts and prayers at Run It Fast go out to the Hardin family…those that loved and cared about her at least.

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