An Albert Lea man who allegedly injured his 4-year-old daughter in March pleaded not guilty Thursday in Freeborn County District Court.

Miguel Adelico Tafoya, 39, entered a provisional not guilty plea. He is charged with felony malicious punishment of a child and gross misdemeanor domestic assault.

Court documents state Tafoya was charged after his daughter was taken to the emergency room at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea early in the morning March 22 with a broken right arm and injuries to another part of her body.

The alleged victim reportedly identified Tafoya as having caused her injuries, and Tafoya stated he spanked her eight to 10 times as punishment after she acted up. He said she bent her arm the wrong way after he grabbed her by the arms in an attempt to force her to sit on the couch.

Court documents state Tafoya told medical staff he heard a pop after he tried to restrain her, and said his daughter kicked and bit him prior to the incident.

Law enforcement allegedly observed a “very large bruise” on the chin of the child’s mother that she said came from an argument she had with Tafoya that month.

District Court Judge Steven Schwab set conditional bail for Tafoya at $10,000 May 23. Tafoya was not in custody Thursday.

A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6 and a jury trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 10, if the case has not been settled by then.