A July 22 preliminary hearing has been set for a polygamist accused of beating his 16-year-old daughter for trying to escape a polygamous marriage with his brother.
John Daniel Kingston, 43, is charged with one count of second-degree felony child abuse for the alleged beating in May. Authorities said the girl was hit with a fist and belt and suffered a broken nose and deep bruises on her arms, buttocks and legs.Kingston, a prominent member of a polygamist group, the Latter-Day Church of Christ, is free on $10,000 bail.
The girl, who was married to the defendant's brother David O. Kingston, 32, in a secret family ceremony soon after her 16th birthday, is in protective custody.