Police say man beat girl with plastic flower

LADY LAKE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida police have arrested a 25-year-old man they say beat a toddler with a plastic flower.

Lady Lake Police arrested Brandon Quimper on a child abuse charge Thursday. According to an arrest affidavit, the 2-year-old had 4-5 inch bruises and abrasions on her back and legs.

The Orlando Sentinel (http://lb.vg/6F9E3) reports Quimper later admitted spanking the child with the plastic flower after she hit him first in the eye.  He allegedly said he spanked her to display punishment. Quimper lives in New York.