Family members pleaded in court on Monday for the release of a father who is alleged to have assaulted his 13-year-old daughter shortly before she died.
Moussa Sidime was released on bail until his trial on aggravated assault charges starts next year.
Sidime, who has been detained for nearly three weeks, will return to court on Jan. 25.
The 71-year-old man is alleged to have slapped his daughter twice in the face, sending her to hospital where she died three days later. She was treated for a cerebral hemorrhage.
A pathologist has been unable to determine the exact cause of death so far.
About two-dozen family members showed up at the courthouse to support the accused. The victim's mother tearfully told the judge her husband has never hit their children before and is an exemplary man.
The judge concluded he did not present a danger to society.
