Plano Woman Guilty in Toddler’s Death, Sentenced to Life in Prison

A Texas woman charged in the suffocation death of her fiance's 2-year-old daughter, Lillian Grace Ford, was found guilty of capital murder Monday.

Melinda Lynn Muniz, 25, was automatically sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

"I am very happy that justice is finally served for my daughter it has been a long year for me and my family," said Ford's mother Emily Ward. "It has been a heartbreaking year but this going to bring us closure and help all of us move on."

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Muniz was engaged to Ford's father when the toddler was found unconscious at their Plano home. Police said she suffocated the girl and then staged a home invasion. She later claimed amnesia about what happened that day.

Police, however, said evidence showed she purchased duct tape, nylon cable ties, scissors and cotton swabs from a Dollar Tree just an hour before calling 911 about the alleged home invasion.

Ford's mother and grandparents addressed Muniz during victim impact statements and said they forgive her.

"What Melinda did was heinous, it was cruel and unusual -- against nature -- what she did, taking the life of an innocent child," said Ford's grandfather Doug Reeves. "But you forgive people, you chose to forgive people, you have to go against your emotions [but] you don't like it.