NEW YORK – Police say a man charged with fatally beating his stepdaughter for allegedly soiling her pants had 15 prior arrests.
Kelsey Smith was charged with assault and acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17-years-old.
He was arrested Saturday after New York City police responded to a Brooklyn homeless shelter apartment where the child, Jeida Torres, was found unconscious and unresponsive.
Police say Smith was watching the girl and her 5-year-old brother while their mother was at work. They say the boy had bruises to his body and was hospitalized in stable condition.
Police found Smith at a relative's Queens apartment, where he allegedly tried to slit his wrists. He remained hospitalized Monday in stable condition. It wasn't clear if he had a lawyer.
Police say his prior arrests included one for assault.
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