Joyce Hardin Garrard: Grandmother jailed for life after forcing granddaughter to run until she fatally collapsed

An Alabama woman has been sentenced in the running death of her 9-year-old granddaughter.

Joyce Hardin Garrard was sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday afteoon for what jurors found was the intentional killing of Savannah Hardin in 2012.

According to al.com, Garrard's husband disagrees wholeheartedly with the verdict.

“It's all wrong,” said Johnny Garrard. “It's all wrong. She's innocent of this.”

Members of Joyce Garrard's family say the grandmother will remain a vital part of their lives, al.com reports.

Savannah Hardin fatally collapsed after fainting (Picture: Reuters)

"I know what happened that day," Johnny said. "We were there. She would never have done anything against Savannah."

Jurors convicted 50-old Garrard of capital murder in March.

Prosecutors say the woman made the child run for hours as punishment for a lie about candy. The girl collapsed and died three days later in a hospital.

Garrard denies that she meant to harm the child. She told jurors the girl was running as practice because she wanted to do better in a race at school.