ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, SportsStep-mother, grandmother arrested in death of 9 year old child

Arrests have been made in the death of a 9 year old Etowah County child.

Joyce Hardin Garrard, 46, and Jessica Mae Hardin, 27, were both arrested and charged with murder in connection to the death of Savannah Hardin.  Both women are from the Carlisle community.

Garrard is the child's grandmother and Hardin is her step-mother.

A Sheriff's Office spokesperson said evidence shows that Garrard was allegedly planning to punish Savannah for lying to her.  "The child was supposedly told to run and was not allowed to stop," according to a news release.

We're told the incident took place Friday, February 17^th, and it lasted approximately 3 hours.

Hardin placed a 911 call around 6:45p.m. and told investigators Savannah was having a seizure and was unresponsive. She died Monday at Children's of Alabama in Birmingham.  Her body was sent to Huntsville for an autopsy. 

Savannah's death was ruled a homicide by a state pathologist.  Preliminary reports show Savannah was extremely dehydrated and had a very low sodium level.  

The Sheriff's Office became involved after concerned citizens called and described to investigators what they witnessed.  "We have always said that we will protect the rights of those who can't defend themselves," Sheriff Todd Entrekin said. "We will continue to work this case to the end until justice prevails."

Savannah was a 3^rd grade student at Carlisle Elementary School.

Garrard and Hardin are in the Etowah County Detention Center on $500,000 cash bond.