Dad Who Threw Brick That Hit Daughter Surrenders

Authorities say a New Jersey man who allegedly injured his young daughter when he threw a brick during a domestic argument with the child's mother last month has turned himself in.

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.