The father of a seven-year-old girl who was kidnapped and killed by a FedEx driver has filed a $1 million lawsuit on behalf of his daughter’s untimely death.

Jacob Strand filed the lawsuit in Wise County's 271st District Court in Texas and named FedEx Ground Systems Inc, FedEx driver Tanner Horner, and Big Topspin Inc, the company which employed Horner, as defendants.

Seven-year-old Athena Strand went missing on November 30th from her Paradise, Texas, home. According to officials and the girl's father and stepmother, Athena was at home when she got into a disagreement with her stepmother. About an hour after the disagreement, when Athena's stepmother went to look for the girl, she was unable to locate her.

A massive search unfolded, and the girl was ultimately found dead two days later in a body of water about 11 miles away from her home.

Soon after discovering her body, officials arrested 31-year-old FedEx contract driver, Tanner Lynn Horner. According to officials, Horner accidentally drove over the girl when he was backing up his FedEx truck after delivering a package to the girl's home. Instead of alerting the girl's parents of the accident, Horner allegedly picked up the girl, put her in her van, and attempted to strangle her.

According to the arrest affidavit, even though Athena was not seriously injured, Horner "panicked and put her in the van." Horner went on to add that he was afraid the girl would tell her parents that he had struck her with his truck.

The lawsuit accuses FedEx and Big Topspin of being negligent in hiring and training Horner. They accused the two companies of failing to adequately supervise him and failing to enforce the safety policies the companies had in place.

To emphasize his points about the company’s failure to ensure public safety, the lawsuit highlights the recent wave of FedEx Drivers committing assaults, rapes, and even murders. Listed in the lawsuit is the 2022 case of a FedEx driver who murdered a woman and then burned down her house.

"FedEx has continued their normal business operations although it is clear that their current efforts, if any, to ensure that they are not putting dangerous persons in a position of trust wearing FedEx uniforms, driving FedEx branded vehicles, and sending them to the doorsteps of the homes of nearly every person in America is woefully inadequate to avoid endangering the public," the lawsuit explains.

Shortly after news of the little girl's death, FedEx shared a statement that explained in part, "Words cannot describe our shock and sorrow at the reports surrounding this tragic event. First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family during this most difficult time, and we continue to cooperate fully with the investigating authorities. At this time, any further questions should be directed to law enforcement."

Following news of the lawsuit, the company issued another statement explaining, “Our thoughts remain with the family of Athena Strand in the wake of this tragedy. We are aware of the complaint filed against FedEx Ground.”

Authorities were able to connect Horner to the crime after finding out that he was at the family property around the same time Athena disappeared. After being taken into custody, Horner admitted to the crime and led them to her body. Authorities have since charged him with aggravated kidnapping and capital murder charges.