Hannah Overton, and her husband, Larry (left), will speak at Calvary Commission's 38th Annual Breakthrough Prayer and Missions Conference on Thursday and Friday in Lindale.

A mother who was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole for the death of her 4-year-old foster child will speak this week at a Christian conference in Lindale.

Hannah Overton, of Corpus Christi, is scheduled to speak twice on Friday as part of Calvary Commission’s 38th Annual Breakthrough Prayer and Missions Conference, which runs Thursday through Monday at the World Commission Center on Creekwood Ranch in Lindale.

Her husband, Larry Overton, is scheduled to speak Thursday during the conference opening.

The couple will share how their family “was held together after being wrongfully accused and convicted,” according to an event news release.

In 2006, 3-year-old Andrew came to live with the Overtons for a trial process as the family pursued his adoption, according to a 2012 Texas Monthly article. He was their sixth child as they already had five biological children.

About four months later, Andrew died a day after becoming suddenly and seriously ill while home alone with Mrs. Overton, the article reads. The cause of death was salt poisoning, which, in a child, happens if they unintentionally eat too much salt or someone forces them to eat it, according to the article.

On Sept. 7, 2007, a jury convicted Mrs. Overton of capital murder. She was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Her husband pleaded no contest to the charge of criminally negligent homicide and received five years deferred adjudication probation and a $5,000 fine, according to the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. When Mrs. Overton went to prison, he was left to care for their five children alone.

“During Hannah’s time in prison, God not only held her and her family in His hands but also used this trial in mighty ways,” according to the news release.

After seven years in prison, Mrs. Overton was released in December after the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned her conviction, citing ineffective representation from her lawyers, according to the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. In April, Nueces County District Attorney Mark Skurka dismissed the case, due to what he described as “a myriad of factors which came about after a careful review of the previous trial,” according to the Caller-Times. However, he said, “Dismissal does not equate to exonerated.”

Now home with her family, Mrs. Overton continues to remember those people who are in prison, the news release reads.

The Overtons want to share their story, encourage people who are facing sorrowful times,and trust that God is faithful to lead them each step of the way, according to the news release.

“They will continue to minister to those behind the gates and remind the church that this charge is not only for those who have been there like Hannah, but for all the believers,” according to the news release.

The couple have several East Texas connections. Mrs. Overton lived at Calvary Commission in Lindale as a child with her mother and her brother, according to Texas Monthly. She and her husband also attended missionary training school outside of Tyler before they were married.

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IF YOU GO

Who: Calvary Commission

What: Breakthrough Prayer and Missions Conference

When: Thursday-Monday

Where: World Commission Center on Creekwood Ranch in Lindale.

Speakers: Larry Overton, 10 a.m. Thursday; Hannah Overton, 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday

Cost: Free and open to the public

Visit www.calvarycommission.org/conference.asp or call 903-882-5501 for more information.