Stepmom, grandmother accused of running girl to death

Jessica Mae Hardin and her mother-in-law, Joyce Hardin Garrard, 46, were charged in the death of 9-year-old Savannah Hardin. Authorities say the girl was forced to run for three hours on February 17 as punishment for lying about eating a candy bar. At around 6:45 p.m. Jessica Hardin called 911, telling dispatchers Savannah was having a seizure and was unresponsive. Jessica Mae Hardin is seen here with her daughter Savannah.

Jessica Mae Hardin and her mother-in-law, Joyce Hardin Garrard, 46, were charged in the death of 9-year-old Savannah Hardin. Authorities say the girl was forced to run for three hours on February 17 as punishment for lying about eating a candy bar. At around 6:45 p.m. Jessica Hardin called 911, telling dispatchers Savannah was having a seizure and was unresponsive.

This photo released by the Etowah County Sheriff's Dept. on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 shows Jessica Mae Hardin, 27. Hardin and 46-year-old Joyce Hardin Garrard, stepmother and grandmother of a 9-year-old Alabama girl who died after witnesses said she was forced to run for three hours as punishment for lying, have been charged with murder and are being held in jail.

This photo released by the Etowah County Sheriff's Dept. on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 shows Joyce Hardin Garrard, 46. Garrard and 27-year-old Jessica Mae Hardin, grandmother and stepmother of a 9-year-old Alabama girl who died after witnesses said she was forced to run for three hours as punishment for lying, have been charged with murder and are being held in jail.

This undated photo released by the Etowah County Sheriff's Dept. Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 shows 9-year-old Savannah Hardin. Authorities say they've charged a grandmother and stepmother of the girl, who died after being forced to run as punishment. Etowah County sheriff's officials say 46-year-old Joyce Hardin Garrard of Carlisle and 27-year-old Jessica Mae Hardin are accused of murder in the death of Savannah Hardin. Investigators say Garrard allegedly made the girl run without stopping for there hours as punishment for lying to her.

This undated photo shows 9-year-old Savannah Hardin. Authorities say they've charged a grandmother and stepmother of the girl, who died after being forced to run as punishment. Etowah County sheriff's officials say 46-year-old Joyce Hardin Garrard of Carlisle and 27-year-old Jessica Mae Hardin are accused of murder in the death of Savannah Hardin. Investigators say Garrard allegedly made the girl run without stopping for there hours as punishment for lying to her.

Gail Denny places a candle and stuffed animal outside the home of 9-year-old Savannah Hardin near Attalla, Ala., Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012. Authorities say Hardin was forced to run for three hours as punishment for having lied to her grandmother about eating candy bars. The severely dehydrated girl had a seizure and her death days later was ruled a homicide.