After police discovered an 8-year-old girl dead from beating and torture, she read her diary

Eight-year-old Gizzell “Gizzy” Ford loved school very much. Not only because she got A’s in every subject, but also because she couldn’t bear to stay at home.

According to People Magazine, every day for Gizzy was filled with abuse at the hands of her father, Andre Ford, and grandmother, Helen Ford.

No one knew how much Gizzy had been abused until her diary surfaced. According to the diary, she was not allowed to drink anything, including water, and she was starving.

If she was caught secretly drinking water from the toilet, she was punished. Her horrific punishments, including standing for hours with rags in her mouth to stop her from crying.

Some of the diary entries read,

“I know if I’m good and do everything I’m told, I don’t have to face penalties.”

“I hope I don’t screw up today because I really want to be able to just sit down and watch TV, talk and play with everyone, I’m going to be great all day,” he later added, “That wrong, I failed.”

The last entry in the diary read: “I hate this life because I’m in super big trouble now.” The day after this entry, Gizzy had been strangled and beaten to death by her grandmother. She was wearing only torn underwear when her body was found.

Helen Ford was charged with first-degree murder. Andre Ford was also arrested and charged. Although Andre Ford suffered from a debilitating illness that left him bedridden, he still could have found a way to get up and abuse his daughter. He died in prison awaiting trial.

Cook Country Judge Evelyn Clay said: “This child suffered a slow and painful death. This little body looked like it had been pulverized from head to toe. … Her treatment (of Gizzy) was evil.”

Helen Ford’s lawyer said: “She was unable to get past what she had on her plate. Is she guilty for not asking for help? Absolutely. … Is it first-degree murder? It is not.”

Ford was found guilty and will most likely spend the rest of her life in prison.