Melissa Lucio is reacting for the first time after a Cameron County judge said she was innocent in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, and recommended her conviction and death sentence be overturned.

“More than words. There are truly no amount of words, no matter how eloquently spoken, that can begin to convey the thanks I feel in this moment,” Lucio said in a statement and audio recording that was shared Tuesday exclusively with ABC News by Lucio’s close friend, filmmaker Sabrina Van Tassel. “I want to thank everyone that has fought so hard. Not just for me, but more importantly for Mariah’s memory.”

In 2008, Lucio was convicted of fatally beating her daughter, Mariah. Lucio’s defense team claimed Mariah died of a head injury sustained in an accidental fall down a staircase prior to her death.

Lucio's April 2022 execution was stayed by the Court of Criminal Appeals to review claims that new evidence would exonerate her.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals sent Lucio's case back to trial court in June after prosecutors and Lucio’s defense team signed a 33-page agreement stating that evidence that would’ve aided her defense was suppressed in the initial trial.

On Nov. 14, Judge Arturo Nelson — who presided over the original trial — found that Lucio is “is actually innocent; she did not kill her daughter,” according to a statement.

READ MORE: Trial court recommends Melissa Lucio's conviction and death sentence be overturned

Judge Nelson ruled that the suppression of evidence — which included witness statements and a report by Child Protective Services — violated Lucio’s constitutional rights, and required reversal of her conviction. 

"There is so much that led us to this moment, and I want to thank each and every person who has played such a significant part in not only bringing the truth to light, but fighting so very hard to do so," Lucio said.

The case is now before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which will decide whether to accept Judge Nelson’s recommendation that Lucio’s conviction and death sentence be set aside.