Lawyer: Father didn't use trash to mask smell of girl's body

MEDINA, Ohio (AP) — An attorney for an Ohio man charged with corpse abuse after a cable technician found his daughter's decomposed body in a crib says his client didn't put garbage in the room to mask the smell.

Eric Warfel's lawyer filed a request seeking lower bond Thursday in Medina County court.

The attorney says Warfel never told police the trash was meant to hide the smell or that he intended to flee. The lawyer argues those points and Warfel's lack of a criminal record should be taken into account and his $1 million bond should be lowered.

The 34-year-old Warfel pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. He is expected to undergo a psychological evaluation.



The technician found 21-month-old Ember Warfel's body in late July. The cable installer immediately called 911. Neighbors told police that they saw the father leave the apartment the night before the cable installer arrived.

“The gentleman that was here would never hook up with them. Finally  gave permission to come in today and he was gone last night, so actually the poor cable repairman was the one that discovered the child,” said Medina Police Chief Patrick Berarducci.

Warfel's other daughter, 7, is being cared for by her grandparents. Another of Warfel’s children died in 2013 when he lived in Cleveland.