Abigail Lobisch would have turned 6 on July 16 if she hadn’t died at age 7 months from an overdose of the antihistamine found in Benadryl.

Her nanny, Dixie Denise Villa, a Navy wife who allegedly ran an unlicensed daycare from her home on the Aliamanu military reservation, will be tried this week on a felony charge of manslaughter in the February 2019 death of baby Abigail, and jury selection begins today. .

The jury trial before Judge Fa’auuga To’oto’o will have a national audience as CourtTV will cover it along with local media. Opening statements could begin Wednesday.

The trial has been postponed several times over the years. In January 2020, Villa’s lawyer, Megan Kau, said she had been unable to find an expert witness locally and requested a continuance. Villa waived his right to a speedy trial. The state also said it needed more time.

Kau also requested that the trial be adjourned until March regarding a new expert witness.

Villa was arrested on July 20, 2019. The then 40-year-old was charged on July 21, 2019 with manslaughter after police received an autopsy report that showed the 7-month-old girl had 2,400 ng/ ml of diphenhydramine (Benadryl) in his blood, court documents said.

“Median blood concentrations of diphenhydramine in the fatal overdoses were 1400 ng/ml in the infants,” court documents said.

In the autopsy report, a doctor said children under 6 should not be given diphenhydramine without consulting a doctor. “According to the over-the-counter label, when used for self-medication, diphenhydramine should not be used in children younger than 6 years to put the child to sleep or with any other products containing diphenhydramine (including topical products).”

On the morning of February 23, Abigail’s mother, Anna Lobisch, left the baby and her 2-year-old son in Villa’s care in Villa’s hotel room at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina.

Villa’s two children and the Lobisch children spent the day at the pool, court documents state.

Anna Lobisch told police she received text updates with photos of her daughter throughout the day from Villa.

Villa left the hotel around 5:30 p.m. and returned to her home at 4675 Ke St.

Villa told police she applied Bath & Body Works lotion to the children because they were sunburned and took them to a bedroom at about 10 p.m. to sleep.

The next morning, Villa noticed that Abigail’s skin looked “mottled” and “cold to the touch,” court documents said. She called 911 and performed CPR.

Anna Lobisch said she texted Villa at 8:08 a.m. to confirm the time she would pick up the children. Villa replied, “Come now,” according to police.

Kalei Vierra, a family friend of the Lobisches, claimed in July 2019 in a video posted on a “JusticeforAbi” Facebook page that the babysitter’s military husband had been served with “cease and desist” citations because she ran an unlicensed daycare in Aliamanu. Military Reservation House.

She also said that a neighbor had filed complaints with the authorities against the person who was cared for, alleging that he had neglected the children.

If convicted of manslaughter, Villa faces up to 20 years in prison for the Class A felony.

Because of the victim’s young age, Villa could have faced a life sentence with parole, but the grand jury declined to find her eligible for the longer sentence.

Her bail had been set at one million dollars. But after the grand jury’s decision, Judge Shirley Kawamura lowered his bail on Aug. 1 to $500,000, but Villa still couldn’t get bail.

To’oto’o had Villa’s bail reduced to $200,000 on November 6, 2019, as she had a fairly clean record, and she was released on November 7, 2019, after posting $200,000 bond.

While out on bond, Villa was arrested for allegedly stealing goods or merchandise valued at more than $250 on June 30 from The Navy Exchange.

She was released on July 1 after posting $200 bail. She was charged July 26 with third-degree larceny.

A Honolulu District Court judge ordered Villa to appear on Nov. 22 for a preliminary conference.

In May 2019, three months after Abigail’s death, Villa’s husband, Aaron Villa, filed for divorce.