A man has admitted he forgives the monster FedEx driver who adducted and murdered his seven-year-old granddaughter.
Mark Strand, grandfather to Athena Strand, confessed that despite wanting "five 5 minutes alone in a cell" with FedEx delivery driver, Tanner Horner, 31, he believes in forgiveness.
Horner was making a delivery in the neighbourhood of Paradise, Texas, US, on Wednesday afternoon when he kidnapped Athena from her family home and killed her within an hour of her adduction, according to police.
Police were able to hunt down Horner after help from FedEx and receiving a tip-off as he now faces capital murder and aggravated kidnapping charges.
Grandfather Mark has admitted he's debated the decision over whether to forgive Horner or not.
He wrote on Facebook: "This man I am, is angry and I want 5 minutes alone in a cell with the psycho that took our Athena away from us, but there's a soft gentle voice in the back of my head telling me I need to forgive him.
"'If I allow this hate to consume me, that voice will fade and eventually be silenced. Then that ugly spirit of hate will have succeeded and that's why this gentle voice persists to tell me I need to forgive this man.
"There's not one ounce of my flesh that wants to do this or say this, but my spirit has heard God's voice and right now, while tears flood my eyes, I declare publicly that I forgive this man!'
"Hate will not win. I hope my family will understand that I don't do this for the sake of this man. I do this for the sake of my family and myself and to Honour the voice of God who is giving me the strength to say this.
"I do this to honour our precious Athena who knew no hate. Love Conquers All and Forgives. Today, I choose Love and hate loses."
Police have revealed Horner is the only suspect in the case and confirmed he not have any relation to the child or the family.
Wise County Sheriff's Office said the child was dropped off at her family home from school at 4.30pm on Wednesday.
Athena was outside her home after a disagreement with her stepmother when the FedEx delivery driver arrived to her house to drop off a parcel.
Her family became concerned after she failed to come back into her house and her step-mum called cops at 6.40pm to report Athena missing.
Authorities said the girl was adducted from her driveway, which was just 200 yards away from her home.
Her body was found 10 miles away from her house the next day.
Athena's mum, Maitlyn Gandy, described Horner as "a sick, cruel monster."
She said in an emotional Facebook post: "'Athena is innocent, beautiful, kind, intelligent, and just the brightest, happiest soul you could ever meet.
"I don't want her to be the girl known as the one murdered and discarded by a monster. I want everyone to know, every single person in this world, that this is my baby and my baby was taken from me.
"I cannot describe the pain and absolute anger I feel. Missing her doesn't cover how I feel."
FedEx issued a statement on Friday night after Athena was confirmed dead: "Words cannot describe our shock at the reports surrounding this tragic event.
"First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family during this most difficult time."