Suspect in girl's beating death had prior arrests

NEW YORK - Police say a man charged with fatally beating his stepdaughter for allegedly soiling her pants had 15 prior arrests.

Kelsey Smith was charged with assault and acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17-years-old.

He was arrested Saturday after New York City police responded to a Brooklyn homeless shelter apartment where the child, Jeida Torres, was found unconscious and unresponsive.

Police say Smith was watching the girl and her 5-year-old brother while their mother was at work. They say the boy had bruises to his body and was hospitalized in stable condition.

Police found Smith at a relative's Queens apartment, where he allegedly tried to slit his wrists. He remained hospitalized Monday in stable condition. It wasn't clear if he had a lawyer.

Police say his prior arrests included one for assault.