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Grandmother Accused of "Running" Granddaughter to Death Charged with Capital Murder

By WNCF

Story Created: Mar 1, 2012 at 9:08 PM CDT

Story Updated: Mar 2, 2012

The grandmother accused of running her 9-year-old granddaughter to death has had her charges upped to capital murder.

46-year-old Joyce Garrard could face the death penalty if she is found guilty of this crime.

Garrard and her stepdaughter Jessica Hardin are accused of forcing Savannah Hardin to run for three hours as punishment for eating a candy bar.

At a bond hearing Thursday in Etowah County, the prosecution said there were points in her punishment where Savannah was forced to carry firewood and vomited, begging to stop.

It wasn't until she had seizures that her stepmother called authorities.

The third grader died three days later.

For now, the two are being held in the Etowah County Detention Center under a $500,000 cash bonds.

Their attorneys have asked for their bonds to be reduced.

Authorities say this case could go before a Grand Jury as early as Monday.

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