It's a change of plea for a man from Gilchrist County charged with killing his four-year-old daughter a year ago.

Matthew Roland was arrested the day Kristina Hepp's lifeless body was found in the family home.

It was a horrific crime a four-year-old girl found brused and battered at the hands of her father.

The little girl died from her injuries last April, and Friday in a Gilchrist County courtroom, the family of Kristina Hepp did not hold back any emotion.

Roland, who initially plead not guilty to aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter, changed his plea to no contest. To avoid a trial, the defense agreed to accept a life sentence with no chance of parole, and without the right to appeal.

Roland is now officially charged with first degree murder and aggravated child battery. Police found Kristina dead in Roland's home with bruising on her face and body a result of Roland hitting her.

"My child is now underground, because of him and no one else, I don't think he should live another day," Elizabeth Brown said.

A life lost for Kristina Hepp and a life behind bars for Roland.