Dad of dead baby in crib pleads insanity to corpse abuse

The Medina dad accused of leaving his dead baby in a crib until she was so badly decomposed that she was unrecognizable pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in court Monday.

Collier ordered 35-year-old Eric Warfel to undergo psychological evaluation.

Warfel was arrested July 28 after a cable technician discovered 21-month-old Ember Warfel’s body decomposing in her crib. Authorities suspect it had been there for weeks.

Warfel is being held on a million bond because he’s considered a flight risk.

Police say Warfel was out with his seven-year-old daughter when the discovery was made. A message was left Monday for O’Shea.

The medical examiner hasn’t ruled on her cause of death.

The county prosecutor has said he expects Warfel will face additional charges related to drugs and alleged child endangerment. Detectives recently found cocaine in a Middleburg Heights hotel room where Warfel was believed to be staying in the days before Ember’s body was found.

Warfel told police Ember died on or about June 18. O’Shea said in an emailed statement last week that the case is more complicated than police are letting on.