Savannah Hardin: gran and step-mother charged with exercising nine-year-old to death
SAVANNAH Hardin, 9, was murdered by her step-mother and grandmother. So say the police in Birmingham, Alabama. (The child’s father was working overseas.)
It is alleged Savannah Hardin was “run to death” for eating sweets. After three hours of enforced exercise, Savannah Hardin was so dehydrated she died.
Todd Entrekin, sheriff of Etowah county, tells media that Savannah had eaten a bar of confectionary on the school bus. He alleges that the girl’s grandmother, Joyce Hardin Garrard, 46, was upset that SAvannah had lied to her about eating the bar. Savannah had a bladder condition. It was claimed the bar could make the illness worse. So. The grandmother and mother punished the child.
Says Jimmie Harp, district attorney for Etowah county:
“Basically, she was caused to undergo physical exertion to the point in time where she just got dehydrated and her electrolyte levels got to the point where she couldn’t survive. [It was] “a very … you know, unnecessary act. From what we can tell, taking of a candy bar turned into [an] all-day marathon, so to speak … physical PE-type exercise until the point of time she just collapsed. We’re very disturbed by that.”
Savannah’s stepmother, Jessica Hardin, 27,called the emergency services. She said the girl was having seizures.
Garrard was arested. She’s being held at the Etowah county detention centre on $500,000 bail, Ms Hardin gave birth on Wednesday afternoon. She has a toddler son. She is being guarderd in hospital.
Says the Alabama Department of Human Resources:
“The department has one pending investigation concerning Savannah Hardin that allegedly occurred in another state involving an alleged perpetrator that resides in that state. We are working with law enforcement in the other state to conduct interviews in that state.”
How can this be proven? How can you prove a child was ordered to run if no-one confesses?
February 25th, 2012 at 2:57 am
so sad…..certain this sweet child is no longer suffering the wrath of these women and is embraced in Heaven in a way she never seemed to know here on earth. My condolences to those who truly loved and cared for her – to those, she will be missed
February 24th, 2012 at 8:35 pm
This prooves – once again – that most child abusers are female, just because they can, being in charge of their and other’s kids more than 90% of the time, during the first most important years for the rest of the childrens’ lives.
February 24th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
this is disgusting! I hope they are convicted of murder – too bad it won’t be the same punishment Savannah had to go thru. this is definitely very cruel and unusual punishment for a 9 yr old to have endured and utimately died for lying about candy especially at the hands of family she trusted to love, care and protect her. Wonder what other child abuses Savannah had to go thru at the hands of these two monsters! I hope they rot in hell, I mean jail.
February 24th, 2012 at 1:19 pm
I would hate to be in this step mothers and grandmothers shoes when we have to stand before Jesus on judgement day and give an account for our sins. It sais in God’s word to suffer the little children to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of God.
February 24th, 2012 at 9:01 am
I think both the stepmother and grandmother should run for three hours….Let us make sure they do not stop for the kid sake…If you know what I mean…This stuff is happening to much with the Children….Are these PARENTS just doing to see how far they can go…..Wake up people if you see something wrong step in and
help the child…I am sure there were people around that saw this child running and
noticing she was out of breath and in trouble breathing….AMERICA WAKE UP
HELP OR KIDS….THEIR PARENTS AREN’T.
February 24th, 2012 at 8:39 am
It was known she had a bladder condition, it was also proven that she was dehydrated beyond recovery – so what and who allowed or caused that ? Step mother and grandmother are the first in line to face the consequences of her death, and its up to them to prove they didn’t cause it
February 24th, 2012 at 2:37 am
i can’t believe people are so inconsideratere, i wish they was the ones that had ro run, put shoe on the other persons foot, guarantee they would think twice hope they get the worst punishment available to bad she had to go, such a pretty girl. what’s next???
February 23rd, 2012 at 8:02 pm
what the hell that is so wrong who would ever do such a thing. I feel so bad i wish this girl had a nicer family at least they went to jail. Yeah they went to jail.It’s a shame she knocked right in the head parents. She was so pretty. I would love to be friends but she is killed know.
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:34 pm
What the hell is wrong with mankind? Have we lost all compasion? Urgh, poor kid!