LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The man charged with killing 4-year-old Serenity McKinney was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Thursday.
Dakota Hill was the boyfriend of Serenity's mother, Catherine "Abby" McKinney.
He pleaded guilty to murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence charges back in May.
Serenity's body was found in West Point, Kentucky in February of last year. An autopsy revealed she was found in a suitcase filled with a sand-like substance, and had fractured bones.
Serenity's grandmother, Melody Roller, emotionally watched as Hill was sentenced. She says no amount of time is enough.
"Because she deserved more. She deserved to live her life," she said.
Before being sent to prison, Hill apologized to Roller and loved ones for the pain he's caused.
"I think of Serenity every single day and the time we had together. And I think about how my choices has taken that away for everyone and cut her life short," he said.
However, Roller says forgiving him has been an uphill battle.
"I'm trying to find forgiveness in him and in Abby, but that takes time," she said. "When you break a bone, it takes time for that bone to heal. Even though I rather have broken bones than to deal with this type of heartache"
Though Roller hoped Hill would receive more years, Commonwealth Attorney Bailey Taylor said he's pleased with the outcome.
"50 years is a considerably long period of time and I believe under the circumstances, is appropriate," he said.
Hill will be eligible for parole after serving 85 percent of his sentence, but Taylor said he has a slim chance of being released.
Now that court proceedings are over, Roller said she wants the world to remember her granddaughter for who she was -- not for what she went through.
"She was beautiful inside and out," she said
Roller plans to host a birthday party for Serenity on Aug. 9; she would've turned 6 years old. Roller said the party is open to the public, and it will be held at Clear Creek Park in Shelbyville, Kentucky.
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