Sheriff will push for death penalty in case of FedEx driver who allegedly murdered 7-year-old girl

The sheriff's office that arrested a man accused of killing a 7-year-old girl in Texas last month says it will urge the death penalty against him when his case is taken up by prosecutors. 

Wise County Sheriff Lane Akin told local station WFAA that "because of the age of [victim Athena Strand] and because it was an abduction, we are going to [ask the district attorney to] pursue the death penalty," according to the network. 

Akin said accused killer Tanner Horner is being kept "in a single cell by himself." Prisoners accused of crimes against children have historically been the target of violence from other prisoners.

Horner, 31, has reportedly confessed to having murderer Strand after kidnapping her while delivering a package to her house. 

Strand's mother this week claimed the package was one of Strand's Christmas presents.