A woman who allegedly killed her boyfriend's toddler daughter by force-feeding her chilli powder as a punishment has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and assault.

Amanda Sorensen, 21, is now being held on $1 million bail after the death of two-year-old Joileen Garcia at the family's home in Apple Valley, California on Sunday.

She has been charged with one count of murder and another count of child abuse causing death, according to the complaint filed by the San Bernardino district attorney's office.

Police were called to the home at 4.16pm on Sunday as the girl suffered a seizure after ingesting the chilli powder.

Read more at the Daily Mail