DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. —

DeKalb County police said they have charged a 13-year-old girl with murder after she killed her 2-year-old sister.

The toddler's father, Shelton Ray, told Channel 2's Ashley Swann that police have charged his teen stepdaughter in the death of the toddler. He said the 2-year-old was stabbed seven times in the heart area. He said the teen confessed to him, along with detectives.

Investigators said both parents were away Monday afternoon when the incident happened. They said the 13-year-old girl was watching her younger siblings while her parents were out.

Police said when they returned home around noon, Ray and his wife couldn't find their 2-year-old, Sasha. Ray said the teen had called them about the child’s disappearance and even helped look for her.

A while later, police said, they found the toddler dead in the backyard.

Investigators said the parents tried taking the child to the hospital on their own, and emergency responders met the parents along the way. Ray said the child died in his arms en route to the hospital.

The 13-year-old, identified as Tyasia Jackson, is being charged as an adult on murder charges.

Ray told Swann on Monday night that Sasha is now in heaven.

"She's gone on to glory now. Now it's up to me to make it to where she is," Ray said.

He said his wife was too upset to talk about what happened. When Swann caught up with Ray, he and his wife were on their way to go talk to their other children. Sasha was the youngest of five girls in the family.

Ray was very candid when talking about his stepdaughter. He said she will need to live with the consequences of her actions.

"All I would say is, what you did is wrong and there are going to be some consequences that you will have to face, and you're going to have to face them, and we're going to help you along the way while you're facing those consequences," Ray said.

Ray said he is taking comfort in knowing that Sasha is in heaven.

"She is in a better place than I am, and with that known, I know I'm good," Ray said.