McAllen police say 27-year-old Hector Castro is expected to be charged Monday with murder.
Police Chief Victor Rodriguez says Castro told investigators that the toddler wouldn't stop crying while he was trying to watch the U.S.-Ghana matchup on Saturday.
Rodriguez says the child was severely beaten and suffered several broken ribs. Police said a screw or bolt was forced down her throat in an apparent attempt to make it look like she choked to death.
Four other children in Castro's apartment were placed with social workers.
McAllen is near the U.S.-Mexico border at the southern tip of Texas.
