A Medina dad will go on trial Monday nearly a year after his baby girl was found dead and decomposing in her crib.
Eric Warfel is pleading not guilty by reason of insanity in the case.
During the trial, prosecutors will likely try to prove Warfel knowingly tried to cover up the death of 1-year-old Ember.
The defense is expected to argue that the girl's death was unintentional.
Warfel's trial was previously delayed so that attorneys could review evaluations of Warfel's competency to stand trial and his sanity at the time of the alleged crimes. An Akron psycho-diagnostic clinic ruled that he was competent to stand trial.
Ember was found dead in her crib in Warfel's apartment last July. Authorities said the girl had been dead for about a month when her body was found by an internet installation worker.
Warfel told police that he put 1-year-old Ember in the crib when she died on or about June 18 and didn't notify authorities or the rest of the child's family.
Circumstances surrounding the baby's death are still unknown.
Warfel is charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and child endangering. According to court documents, the prosecutor's office is also working to determine if additional charges can be filed after cocaine was found in Ember's hair.
Warfel has been awaiting trial in a mental health facility.
