Karen McCarron, of Morton, Ill., is charged with first-degree murder in the 2006 death of Katherine "Katie" McCarron. Prosecutors allege McCarron took the child to her mother's empty home, came up behind her as she played and suffocated her with a garbage bag, then carried her home -- past family members -- saying the girl was asleep and put her to bed before going out for ice cream, The Peoria (Ill.) Journal Star said. The mother later attempted suicide and confessed, the paper said.

McCarron spoke of institutionalizing her child or giving her up for adoption but Paul McCarron, the child's father, said his answer was always the same: "No way in hell. She's my daughter," the paper said.

Paul McCarron said Katie was well behaved, didn't suffer severe autism and the family had ample support including grandparents and in-home helpers.

Karen McCarron has pleaded innocent by reason of insanity.