Michael Geiger in Court Monday Over Death of 2 Year Old

ENID, Okla. –

A man accused of the rape and murder of a toddler went in front of a Garfield County judge Monday morning. During the brief arraignment Michael Geiger told the judge he didn’t do it.

The horrific death of two-year-old Caliyah Guyton shook Enid to its core last April. In Monday’s appearance, Judge Tom Newby said he aims to start the trial this May.

Michael Geiger plead not guilty to his first-degree murder, first-degree rape, and kidnapping charges Monday morning.

Geiger is accused of the rape and murder of 2-year-old Caliyah Guyton in April and faces the death penalty. A month before the alleged murder, Geiger was released from prison after a 10-year sentence for kidnapping.

Court documents show Geiger and the little girl’s family stayed at the Prairie Grand Hotel on April 27th. Those documents show the family and Geiger briefly interacted at the pool, where he gave Caliyah chips and candy. That pool is also where Caliyah’s body was found.

More court documents show the state medical examiner believes the toddler died from as a result of asphyxiation and and drowning. Paperwork filed in October shows there is DNA evidence will also play a factor in this trial.

Geiger’s next court date is January 3rd, his trial date may be set then. During Monday’s proceedings, Geiger’s defense team asked the trial start May 2024, his attorney cited the need for a “years long generational investigation” for the extra time.