Man Sentenced to Two Life Terms for Brutal Murder of Toddler

A Virginia man, Andrew Byrd, 37, has been handed down a life-altering sentence by a judge, who imposed two consecutive life terms for his involvement in the gruesome murder of 2-year-old Harper Mitchell. Byrd was convicted by a jury in March of aggravated murder, aggravated malicious wounding, and an array of other charges, all related to the horrifying killing of his girlfriend’s toddler daughter in 2020.

“This is the most serious crime of all the crimes we’ve got on our books,” emphasized Commonwealth’s Attorney Chris Rehak, conveying the gravity of the situation. “This defendant tortured that poor little girl,” he added, as reported by The Roanoke Times.

On April 16, in his Roanoke residence, approximately 200 miles west of Richmond, Andrew Byrd was present with Harper and her two siblings while their mother, Amanda Mitchell, was at work.

When Mitchell returned home, she discovered her daughter in a lifeless, battered, and cold state. However, Byrd refused to allow her to seek medical assistance. He reportedly confiscated her phone, strangled her, and menacingly threatened her with harm if she tried to get the little girl the help she so desperately needed.

Throughout that night, Byrd’s sole focus was on getting high, displaying a shocking lack of concern for the seriously injured child he had harmed, according to Rehak’s statements during Byrd’s sentencing.

The following morning, Amanda Mitchell regained access to her phone and called Byrd’s mother, who promptly dialed 911. Harper was rushed to the hospital, but tragically, it was too late. Her family had to make the heartbreaking decision to remove her from life support three days later.

The extent of Harper’s injuries was truly horrific, as testified by medical examiner Dr. Amy Tharp. Her battered body bore a resemblance to someone who had suffered a severe car accident, ultimately succumbing to blunt-force trauma to the head.

Byrd’s defense argued that there were no witnesses to Harper’s beating and deemed the prosecution’s case as relying on “wild theories.” They also pointed out Byrd’s history of substance abuse and methamphetamine addiction at the time of the incident.

After his arrest, Byrd offered various explanations for Harper’s injuries, including the possibility that she had fallen down a flight of stairs or off her four-wheeler.

Rehak didn’t mince words, calling Byrd a “dangerous, violent liar” during the judge’s sentencing. The Commonwealth’s Attorney believed that a life sentence was almost too lenient and merciful for such a heinous act.

During the proceedings, Harper’s father, TJ Mitchell, emotionally expressed his longing for his precious daughter and the immense difficulty of having to make the decision to take her off life support.

Circuit Judge Joey Showalter concluded the case by stating, “No person, let alone a little girl, a little angel, should be hurt.” He then proceeded to hand down the life-altering sentence.

Amanda Mitchell, Harper’s mother, is currently facing pending charges for child abuse, cruelty, and drug possession, while Byrd is also facing additional charges stemming from the alleged abuse of Mitchell’s sons.