As reported by CBS 13, authorities confirmed Richmond Phillips contacted Wynetta Wright on the evening before their scheduled court appearance, and asked her to meet him at a local park. Prosecutor Angela Alsobrooks said, “He was either going to talk her out of that paternity suit or he was going to kill her.”

In the course of investigation, authorities obtained surveillance footage from Oxon Run Stream Valley Park, which confirmed Richmond, Wynetta, and Jaylin were in the park on the evening before the hearing. Authorities also confirmed their location via cell phone records and DNA evidence collected at the scene.

Prosecutors believe Richmond Phillips shot and killed Wynetta Wright at the park and dragged her body into the woods. He then drove Wright’s SUV to a parking lot and abandoned the vehicle with his 11-month-old daughter still strapped inside her car seat. CBS 13 reports the temperature inside the vehicle was around 125 degrees. Prosecutor Alsobrooks said, “He allowed her to essentially cook in that car, hoping and praying that she would never be found.”

As reported by NBC Washington, Richmond Phillips was ultimately charged and convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, possession of a weapon, and child abuse. He was given a life sentence plus 20 years, without the possibility of parole.

Following the sentencing, Wyvette said Wynetta simply “didn’t have a chance.” However, she wishes they had found the SUV sooner, because Jaylin “could have been saved.”