A Lake Tapps father is being charged with beating his pre-teen daughter for taking food out of the fridge.

According to court documents, a Dieringer School District nurse noticed marks on the child’s arm on Feb. 14, which she said were from a fight with a sibling the day previous.

The nurse did not believe her, and took her to a school counselor. The student told the counselor that she was still hungry after dinner that previous night, and attempted to take food out of the refrigerator.

Court documents say the father used a belt to hit the girl’s arms, and then used a golf club to hit her in the stomach area. Auburn police observed a swollen wrist and other marks on her arm, but she refused to show them her side and denied being hit with the club.

The student was concerned about her parents finding out what she’d told the counselor.

In discussions with police, the school counselor revealed Child Protective Services was called once before in October 2018, following a report of the student being beaten with a cane. The child did not want to say anything about this incident, documents read.

The counselor also told police the student has been observed hoarding food, taking food home for the weekends, and frequently received food from the counselor.

Police reportedly spoke with the student’s mother, who denied seeing any sort of physical punishment, let alone being hit with a belt or club.

The father was arraigned Feb. 15, pled not guilty, and was released upon paying his $30,000 bail.

CPS was unable to confirm or deny whether a case has been opened in regards to the allegations or whether the child has been removed from the home. However, the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office said part of the father’s bail conditions required no contact with the daughter, mother, or the home.

A jury trial is currently scheduled for April 2.