SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) -- A 20-year-old Sheboygan man accused of beating and burning his girlfriend's young daughter has reached a plea agreement.

Samuel A. Kroening pleaded no contest this week to a felony charge of child abuse. In return, prosecutors dismissed one count of second-degree reckless injury and downgraded another to child abuse.

The agreement means Kroening faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison instead of 27 years.

District attorney Joe DeCecco (deh-CHEH'-koh) says prosecutors agreed to the deal because they couldn't prove Kroening intended to hurt the baby.

The 10-month-old suffered two broken ankles and burns to her face and body.

Kroening's lawyer didn't immediately return a phone message.

Online court records do not list a sentencing date.

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Information from: The Sheboygan Press, http://www.sheboygan-press.com

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)