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Man found guilty in the death of 4-year-old girl

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CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. - A Punta Gorda man was found guilty of Second Degree Murder in the death of a 4-year-old girl in 1999.

The State Attorney's Office says the jury deliberated for two hours Wednesday, following an 8 day trial.

Keith Wilson faces life in prison when he was sentenced for the death of 4-year-old Pilar Rodriguez.

Investigators say it was initially a cold case, but new information, including witnesses came to light in 2009. 

Pilar's body has never been found.

Investigators say Wilson was the boyfriend of a woman, Melissa Harding-Jones, who was babysitting Pilar.

Harding-Jones testified saying Wilson became violent to her and Pilar,and that he punched her in the head. 

She said Pilar then fell into a wall and died a few days later.

Harding-Jones said Wilson placed Pilar's body in a garbage bag, and she never saw her again. 

Melissa Harding-Jones is a co-defendant in the case. 

The State Attorney's Office says she has a plea agreement for one count of Accessory after the Fact. 

She faces up to 30 years in prison when she is sentenced.

Part of her agreement was to testify truthfully as a witness in Wilson's trial.

Wilson will be sentenced on December 4th.