Mansfield, Mass. -- A 6-year-old girl was found dead in a Mansfield home after police found a note written by the girl's father asking for "forgiveness for sending Katie to heaven," police said.

Police: Dad Sorry For Sending Girl 'To Heaven'

Police received a call early Friday morning from a home on Ware Street that indicated that Kristopher Griffin, 35, who was staying there and had intentions of harming himself.

Officials received a phone call from the same address a few minutes later saying that they found the note.

Griffin was found a short time later and later charged with killing the girl.

"The defendant said the only way he could save the girl was to kill her," prosecutor Cynthia Brackett said.

Officials went to a home on Chilson Avenue and found Kaitlynn Griffin's body in the basement, covered with a blanket. Her throat had been slit, police said.

"The police officer shined his flashlight. 'Yes, she's gone. I had to save her. I killed my little girl,'" Brackett said.

Prosecutors said Griffin asked police to shoot him when they arrived at his home. Griffin and the girl's mother had separated recently.

Griffin, who appeared in court in a hospital johnny, was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. He was held without bail.