Twenty-five-year-old Edward Smith of Hamilton Township (Mercer County) faces several charges, including assault and child endangerment. But authorities don't believe he intentionally tried to hurt the 3-year-old girl during the Jan. 28 confrontation in Brick.
The child was struck in the face by the brick. It knocked out a tooth, and she needed stitches for a cut on her upper lip.
Smith surrendered to Allentown police late this week and was later turned over to Brick police. He was being held Saturday on $150,000 bail, and it was not known if he had retained an attorney.
Authorities tell the Asbury Park Press that Smith went to his ex-girlfriend's apartment, violating a restraining order. Smith left when the woman told him to leave, but then grabbed a landscaping brick and threw it through a glass sliding door. Police say Smith's daughter happened to be standing in the kitchen at the time and was hit by the brick.
Smith then allegedly re-entered the apartment and broke the woman's cell phone before stealing her car. The vehicle was later found at the Lakewood home of one of Smith's relatives.
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Information from: Asbury Park Press, http://www.app.com
