Man accused of assaulting 2 young girls

COLUMBUS (AP) -- A man has been accused of assaulting his girlfriend's two young daughters, one of whom later died, police said.
Hunter Leonard, 3, died Thursday of injuries from being choked and beaten on Monday, police said. Her 1-year-old sister, Logan, was not hurt as seriously and was with relatives, police said.
Rickie A. Layton II, 20, was arrested Friday and has been charged with attempted murder and assault. Police Sgt. John Hurst said the case likely will go to a grand jury next week to try for a possible murder indictment.
An autopsy showed Hunter died of blunt-force trauma, said David Brobst, director of the Franklin County coroner's office.
Police said Layton was caring for Hunter when she was injured. Layton told investigators she had fallen down a flight of stairs while he was asleep, but doctors said her injuries were not consistent with that.
Layton was first arrested and charged with child endangering Tuesday, when the girl was hospitalized, but later was released on bond, records show. Police filed the attempted murder and assault charges against him Thursday.