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Utah Man Allowed To Return Home To Await Trial

WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) -- A Utah man accused of fracturing the skull of his 22-month-old niece will be allowed to await trial at home.

Stephen Morningstar, 34, of Orem, Utah, is charged with attempted murder, child abuse and other offenses in the Jan. 1 incident at his father's home near Westminster.

Morningstar was in Maryland for his mother's funeral.

The Carroll County Times reports that prosecutors allege Morningstar body-slammed the girl into a driveway during a family dispute.

On Wednesday, a judge granted a defense request to have Morningstar return to Utah. Morningstar must be electronically monitored.

His trial is set to start July 23.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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