WARREN COUNTY, Iowa — A Norwalk man charged with first-degree murder in the 2023 death of his newborn grandson, whose body was found discarded in a ditch, has been ruled competent to stand trial in the case.

Rodney Staude, 67, and his daughter Megan Staude, 27, were accused of killing the baby Megan gave birth to at the family’s home in Norwalk on February 24th, 2023. Investigators say Megan admitted to putting the baby in a box and didn’t care for him for two days, despite hearing the child crying.

Court documents said Megan told police the baby boy was still alive on February 26th, 2023 when she and her father put the child in a trash bag. Rodney allegedly admitted to discarding the bag in a ditch south of Norwalk. The newborn’s body was discovered on March 9^th, a day after Norwalk Police were tipped off about the situation by an acquaintance of the Staudes.

Both were arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

In July of 2024, Megan Staude pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder. She faces up to 50 years in prison for the crime. The sentencing date has not been set yet.

Rodney Staude was ruled incompetent to stand trial in February 2024, and the case was stayed while efforts were made to restore his competency. At a hearing earlier this week, the judge in the case found “by a preponderance of the evidence, that Rodney Staude has been returned to a sufficient level of competency to stand trial.”

A status conference in the case is scheduled for September 22^nd, and a jury trial has been set for October 15^th.