SANTA ROSA—Gerardo Mendoza Ordaz of Healdsburg was found mentally incompetent to stand trial on Monday, December 19, for the drowning of his 4-year-old daughter.
Ordaz, 42, has been being charged with the murder of his daughter, Maria Jose Ordaz-Chavarria. He is also being charged with the willful infliction of emotional distress of his 9 year-old son.
According to reports, Ordaz was found naked in the parking lot behind Healdsburg Police Department around 8:30 p.m on November 20. He allegedly held his drowned daughter in his arms while yelling for help with his partially clothed son next to him.
Ordaz is scheduled to return to Sonoma County Superior Court on January 11, 2017 where it will be determined where he’ll be placed until he is competent enough to understand the criminal charges against him.
Deputy District Attorney Jason Riehl said Ordaz could be hospitalized at Napa State Hospital for up to 3 years. Many defendants are placed at Napa State until found competent, though homicide cases have an exception for the length of stay.
During court on December 19, Ordaz told Judge Arthur Wick he will continue taking his prescription medication.
A doctor indicated Ordaz’s mental incompetency after speaking with him, suspending criminal proceedings. A report on December 19 noted a second doctor deemed Ordaz mentally incompetent to stand trial after an examination.
