A sadistic couple killed an eight year-old girl by making her jump up and down on a trampoline during blisteringly hot weather, police say. Daniel Schwarz, 44, and his 34 year-old wife Ashley punished the girl, named Jaylin, on a roasting August day in Odessa, Texas, when the ground temperature reached 150f (65C).

The pair were charged with Jaylin’s capital murder on Monday, meaning they could be executed if convicted. Jaylin had been denied breakfast for an unspecified incident of misbehavior on the day of her death, and was then ordered to jump up and down on the trampoline without water.

The temperature of the trampoline itself reached 110f (43.3c) that day. Police say the youngster was not the couple’s biological daughter, but have yet to confirm whether she was in foster care at the time. An online obituary says Jaylin was ‘born to’ David Retherford and Alysha Anderton, but names the Schwarz’s as her ‘parents’.

Jaylin’s relatives told CBS7 that the Schwarz’s were her ‘guardians.’ An Odessa Police Department spokesman said: ‘(The) investigation revealed that the 8-year-old child had been punished and was not allowed to eat breakfast and was required to jump on the trampoline without stopping for an extended period of time.

‘Further investigation revealed that the 8-year-old child was not allowed to drink any water because she was not jumping.’

Emergency responders called to the Schwarz’s home found the girl unresponsive.

She was declared dead shortly after, with an autopsy report identifying dehydration as her cause of death.

A tribute to Jaylin on her obituary said: ‘Jaylin was full of life, loved horseback riding, ice skating, and all things outdoors.

‘She loved all people and animals, and was very interested in history and science.’

The Schwarz’s were arrested after that report was filed on October 8, and charged with capital murder on Monday.

They are being held without bail ahead of their next court hearing.

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