ELLWOOD CITY, Pa. — Channel 11's Amy Marcinkiewicz reported that a Beaver County dad pleaded no contest, admitting no guilt, after police said he beat his 4-year-old daughter with a coat hanger.
Marcinkiewicz was in court Friday as Rodderrick Richards, 23, agreed to 22 to 42 months in a state prison in exchange for the plea.
Richards faced several charges, including endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault, simple assault and drug possession.
According to the criminal complaint, Richards told police he disciplined his daughter because she urinated in her pants. Police said the child suffered welts and bruises in the beating.
“The little girl told us he used a coat hanger to beat her,” Ellwood City Police Lt. Dave Kingston said.
When officers asked Richards if he used a belt, his hands or a coat hanger, he asked for an attorney, the complaint said.
Richards' mother said she called police after he wouldn't let her see his child.
"It wasn't easy getting my own son arrested but I had to do it," said Richards' mother Yolanda Tunno.
The victim's mother said she is outraged by Richards' behavior.
"I hope he gets beat every day he's in jail just like he did to my baby," Nicole Hoover said.
WPXI
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