LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The man set to stand trial for the murder of a 4-year-old Kentucky girl now plans to enter a plea deal in the case, according to the Bullitt County Commonwealth's Attorney.

Dakota Hill, 28, is currently charged with murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence in connection with the death of 4-year-old Serenity McKinney. Hill is being held in the Bullitt County Jail.

The case was expected to go to trial next month. But now, according to Bullitt County Commonwealth's Attorney Bailey Taylor, Hill is expected to enter a guilty plea during an upcoming hearing Wednesday, May 31. 

Taylor would not specify what charges Hill is planning to plead guilty to.

If accepted by the judge, a guilty plea would effectively avoid a murder trial which was scheduled to begin in mid-June.

In February 2022, Serenity's maternal grandfather reported her missing in Shelby County after several loved ones hadn't seen her since Dec. 24, 2020. Just a few weeks later, detectives found Serenity's body in a suitcase in a wooded area near the Jefferson/Bullitt County line.

In October 2022, Bullitt County Coroner David Billings released a copy of the medical examiner's report related to Serenity's death. The report listed the manner of death as a homicide but said the cause of death was "undetermined."

Last month, a judge sentenced Catherine "Abby" McKinney, Serenity's mother, to 12 years in prison for her involvement in Serenity's death. Catherine McKinney had been charged with murder but utimately pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in an April 14 plea agreement.

Dakota Hill is expected in court Wednesday morning. 

Serenity's family members told WDRB News they're asking for prayers during this time. 

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