Bonney Lake Man Accused of Striking His Daughter With Belt

On Tuesday, Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist charged Marcellus Noelval White of Bonney Lake with assault of a child in the second degree for abusing his 4-year-old daughter.

On March 31, 2013, White, 37, was angered at the victim's refusal to eat her dinner and struck her with his belt multiple times, according to the prosecutor's office. He then put her into a cold bath for approximately 30 to 45 minutes.

The next morning, the victim and her mother went to the Bonney Lake Police Department. The victim winced whenever she moved her left arm, which was marked with welts. She was transported to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital.

White followed the victim and her mother to the Bonney Lake Police Department. When questioned about the incident, he admitted he assaulted his daughter and said he put her in the cold bath to make the injuries less visible. The defendant was arrested and booked into the Pierce County Jail.

The defendant was arraigned today. Bail was set at $150,000.

Charges are only allegations and a person is presumed innocent unless he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.