Waubay Man Accused of Killing Daughter on Trial

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Authorities say a Waubay man accused of killing his 2-year-old daughter was stressed because he was late for work and punched the girl in the head.

The defense for 35-year-old Mario Contreras says the girl fell from a chair and that Contreras did everything he could to try to save her.

Contreras has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges in the January 2012 death of Aleeyah Cook. He's on trial in federal court in Sioux Falls.

Defense attorney Sam Khoroosi told jurors Tuesday the girl appeared sick when Contreras got her from her mother, and that she later fell from a chair while eating at the kitchen table.

The doctor who conducted an autopsy testified that injuries to the girl's head and brain likely were caused by fists.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.