Carthage man accused of breaking five-year-old daughter's leg pleads not guilty, bond reduction denied

A Carthage man pleaded not guilty to a felony child abuse charge during a video arraignment Thursday in Jasper County Circuit Court.

Judge Joseph Hensley rejected the request of Lance Christopher Breeding, 27, to have his bond reduced from $50,000 cash only and appointed a public defender.

A Carthage Police Department news release said Breeding's five-year-old daughter had to have surgery on the broken leg and that her abuse also included severe bruising on her back, buttocks and legs.

Breeding told officers he spanked the girl for disobeying him, then pushed her into a room causing her to hit her dresser when she failed to clean her room.

When she sat on the floor, he kicked her and told her to get up, according to the news release.