A Bonney Lake man was arraigned Wednesday with assault of a child in the second degree, after allegedly hitting his 4-year-old daughter. Bail was set at $150,000. Marcellus Noelval White, 37, pleaded not guilty.

According to court documents, the defendant was having dinner with his family Sunday when his young daughter refused to eat her meal. He became angry and struck her several times with his belt before putting her in a cold bath for more than 30 minutes.

The child and her mother went to Bonney Lake police Monday morning to report the incident. She was transported to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital because she winced with pain every time she moved her welt-marked arm.

White followed the mother and child to the police department, where he reportedly admitted he struck his daughter and put her in the bath to lessen the visibility of the welts. He was arrested and booked into Pierce County Jail.

White’s case is being handled in Pierce County Superior Court.