Jury selection is set to continue Tuesday in the trial of a North Fort Myers man accused of killing and sexually abusing a 2-year-old girl, a case in which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a medical call in April 2020 at a home on West Mariana Avenue.
When they arrived, they found Nicholas Stephen Canfield, 30, trying to revive the child, who he said was unresponsive in a bathtub.
Investigators reported bruising, swelling and other trauma to her body, and said two other children in the home also showed signs of abuse.
Canfield, who was dating the child’s mother, now faces charges including first-degree murder, sexual battery and three counts of child abuse.
On Monday, the first day of the trial, Judge Bruce Kyle and attorneys began questioning potential jurors about scheduling conflicts, familiarity with the case and their ability to consider the death penalty.
Trial was originally scheduled to begin in late January, 2024, but a mistrial was declared due to Canfield's attorney having a medical issue.
Jury selection is expected to take up to a week, with the trial scheduled to continue through April 11.
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