Sammantha Allen sentenced to die for killing cousin Ame Deal in 2011. Locked her in plastic box in 100° heat for taking ice pops.

An Arizona woman was convicted of first-degree murder Monday in the death of her 10-year-old cousin who was locked in a small plastic storage box in triple-digit heat.

Sammantha Allen, 28, was accused of helping her husband lock Ame Deal in a box that was left outside overnight as punishment in July 2011.

The bin only had small holes near the handles for air, according to prosecutors, who are seeking the death penalty for Allen. That phase of the trial was scheduled to begin Tuesday.

Authorities said Deal suffocated and was found dead the next day as temperatures surpassed 100 degrees

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