The four-year-old girl Major Aaron Murry is accused of striking has passed away.
According to court documents, doctors at a Valley hospital found the girl suffered severe brain and spinal injuries, as well as evidence of sexual abuse.
The girl died a couple of days later.
A police statement says Murry was babysitting the child while her mother was at work. Murry "admitted becoming angry" at the girl and struck her when she spilled milk near his Xbox video game system, causing her to fall and strike her head.
According to court paperwork, Murry went on to say he laid the girl down for a nap and when he checked on her later, she was unresponsive. He told police he attempted to revive the girl.
Doctors say the girl had bruising on her ear, forehead and face, along with other injuries to her spine.