Father pleads guilty to hitting daughter

A Cape Girardeau father pleaded guilty Monday in circuit court to hitting his 6-year-old daughter with a metal arrow, leaving "significant and painful bruising" on her on her buttocks and legs, said Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.

Christopher G. Meador, 31, will be sentenced Jan. 1, 2003, for second-degree assault, facing up to seven years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.

Meador admitted to the court he used excessive force with the girl on May 17. He has a prior conviction for assault, Swingle said.