LAYTON -- A 46-year-old Layton man is facing felony child abuse charges after beating his daughter with a cane, police said.
Following an investigation, Layton police arrested Ralph Andrew Clark on Monday and booked him into Davis County Jail, said Lt. Quinn Moyes.
"He allegedly struck his daughter multiple times with a cane," Moyes said.
The cane is one Clark was using for mobility following knee surgery.
The case has been referred to the Davis County Attorney's Office to screen for formal charges.
The incident took place Saturday. Clark, his wife and their 17-year-old daughter got into an argument concerning her plans to go out with friends, Moyes said. During the argument, Clark struck his daughter up to 10 times with the cane.
"She had serious bruising," Moyes said. "Several of the bruises were large, black and blue, with the centers being a red print consistent with a cane."
The bruises were on her right leg, left leg, a foot, a right arm, left hand and in the mid-section of her torso, Moyes said. The cane had broken the skin on two of the bruises.
The girl ran from the home on foot and contacted a family friend, who contacted police.
The Division of Child and Family Services was contacted, and the girl was placed in a safe location. An adult sibling was in the home at the time of the incident, Moyes said.
Moyes said police did not arrest the girl's mother, but are still investigating the case.
The police arrested Clark in January 2009 after he hit a male child with a broom and shovel. Clark pleaded guilty to class B misdemeanor simple assault Jan. 27, 2009, and was sentenced to a year of probation.
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