Modesto man convicted in toddler’s death denied parole

A 56-year-old Modesto man, who was convicted of killing his girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter because she wouldn’t stop crying, has been denied parole, according to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office.

Benjamin Ballard in 1985 was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of the toddler, Melissa. Prosecutors said Ballard told detectives that he beat the girl over a prolonged period of time because “you can’t let them run wild, you have to teach them not to get in trouble.”

Ballard was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

Deputy District Attorney Jeff Mangar attended an April 12 parole hearing at the Men’s Colony State Prison in San Luis Obispo. The prosecutor argued against Ballard’s release from prison based on the threat he poses to the public.

Ballard was found unsuitable for parole, and he will be scheduled for another aprole hearing in 2019. He has previously been denied parole eight times.

This story was originally published April 22, 2016 at 3:16 PM with the headline "Modesto man convicted in toddler’s death denied parole."