WARREN, Iowa — A Norwalk man charged with first-degree murder in the death of his daughter’s newborn baby has been ruled incompetent to stand trial.
District Court Judge Charles Sinnard issued a ruling Monday that Rodney Staude is suffering from a mental disorder that prevents him from fully understanding the charge against him and assisting in his own defense. Rodney Staude’s case was stayed back in October of 2023 after the judge agreed there was reason to evaluate his mental competency.
Story archive: Mom, grandfather charged with murder after Norwalk newborn found dead
The ruling also said further evaluation and treatment are needed to determine whether Rodney Staude can be restored to competency. The defendant will remain in the Warren County Jail until a bed opens up at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center.
Rodney Staude and his daughter Megan Staude are each charged with first-degree murder .
Investigators said Megan admitted to giving birth to a baby boy at the family’s Norwalk home on February 24, 2023. She put the baby in a box and could hear him crying for two days but didn’t provide any care.