MANSFIELD - A local father accused of killing his 6-year-old daughter by slashing her throat with a knife July 24 pleaded innocent Thursday in New Bedford Superior Court.

Kristopher Griffin, 35, faces charges of murder and home invasion and was ordered held in jail without bail. Griffin, who has had mental problems in the past, was found competent to stand trial after a court-ordered evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital.

Griffin, who was staying in a camper at a friend's house on Ware Street, is accused of breaking into his former girlfriend's house at 93 Chilson Ave., where he allegedly killed his daughter, Kaitlynn Griffin, with a filet knife.

Griffin was found wandering the streets in the early morning hours after police received reports of concern about his well-being. Police later found the girl's body in the basement of her home.

Griffin is due back in court for a pretrial conference Dec. 15.