Misty Stoddard
![](../images/stoddard-misty/misty-stoddard-2.jpg)
Misty Stoddard, has been charged with first-degree murder in the
death of her stepdaughter, Melissa, 11,
who suffocated in December 2012.
(Herald-Tribune archive / 2012 / Elaine Litherland)
![](../images/stoddard-misty/misty-stoddard-3.jpg)
Misty Stoddard attends a hearing in Sarasota County Circuit Court
on Tuesday. (Dec. 17, 2013)
(Herald-Tribune staff photo by Dan
Wagner
![](../images/stoddard-misty/misty-stoddard-4.jpg)
Misty Stoddard was found guilty of killing her 11-year-old,
autistic step-daughter, Melissa. Stoddard was charged
with
first-degree murder, a charge that carries a mandatory life sentence
in the prison, and found guilty of
aggravated child abuse, which has
a maximum penalty of up to 30 years in prison. (June 27, 2014)
(Herald-Tribune staff photo by Rachel S. O'Hara)
![](../images/stoddard-misty/misty-stoddard-5.jpg)
Misty Stoddard is handcuffed after being found guilty of killing
her 11-year-old, autistic stepdaughter Melissa.
(Herald-Tribune staff photo by Rachel S. O'Hara)
![](../images/stoddard-misty/misty-stoddard-6.jpg)
Misty Stoddard, left, enters the Sarasota County courtroom of
Judge Frederick Mercurio
as the murder trial against her begins on Monday, June 23, 2014. (6.23.2014)
(Elaine Litherland, Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
![](../images/stoddard-misty/misty-stoddard-7.jpg)
Misty Stoddard cries on the witness stand during her murder
trial, Thursday, June 26, in Sarasota.
(June 26, 2014;
Herald-Tribune staff photo by Mike Lang)
![](../images/stoddard-misty/misty-stoddard-8.jpg)
Misty Stoddard cries on the witness stand while her 911 call is
replayed during her murder trial,
Thursday, June 26, in Sarasota.
(June 26, 2014; Herald-Tribune staff photo by Mike
Lang)
![](../images/stoddard-misty/misty-stoddard-9.jpg)
Misty Stoddard, left, enters the Sarasota County courtroom of
Judge Frederick Mercurio as the murder
trial against her begins on Monday, June 23, 2014.
(Elaine Litherland, Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
![](../images/stoddard-misty/misty-stoddard-10.jpg)
Misty Stoddard listens to the testimony of Sarasota County
paramedic, William Green, during day one
of the murder trial against her on Monday, June 23, 2014.
(Elaine Litherland, Sarasota Herald-Tribune)