Racine man charged after allegedly punching daughter, 3, in face because she was crying

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Racine man is now charged with child abuse after allegedly punching his 3-year-old daughter in the face because she was crying.

According to the criminal complaint, officers were called to investigate a report of child abuse on June 21.

The girl's mother told police that she picked up her daughter from her daughter's father and saw bruising on the girl's face and back.

Investigators spoke with the 3-year-old girl who said her dad punched her because she fell and was crying which made her dad mad.

The girl's father denied causing injury, saying she hurt herself.

A nurse practitioner, however, said the bruising was not typical for accidental injury.