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A small American Indian community's support helped secure a shorter prison sentence Tuesday for a Tonkawa man convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the 2004 death of his baby daughter.

Joseph Moses Begs-His-Own was sentenced to nearly six years in prison after a federal judge in Oklahoma City rejected a prosecutor's assertion Begs-His-Own had engaged in a pattern of abuse, based on similar injuries to two of his daughters. He could have received a 10-year sentence.

Judge Robin Cauthron said it seemed Begs-His-Own was ill-equipped to care for his children, but she was convinced he did not intend to harm his 4-month-old daughter, who died after suffering severe head trauma in July 2004.

She noted others in Fort Oakland, a Tonkawa American Indian housing area, share that opinion.

Supporters urged Cauthron to be lenient with the 29-year-old man who admitted in November his reckless disregard for human life caused the baby's death.

"It was just a terrible accident,” said Virginia Combrink, a former president of the Tonkawa Tribe, whose members have known Begs-His-Own most of his life.

Don Patterson, a tribal elder, said Begs-His-Own is a vital part of the community, even though he is a member of a different tribe. Both men are members of the tribe's Drum Circle, Patterson said.

Begs-His-Own chose not to say anything on his own behalf before he was sentenced Tuesday.

His attorney maintains the baby was injured when Begs-His-Own fell while carrying her. He then failed to seek proper medical attention for her.

Prosecutors accused him of abusing the girl and her older sister, who suffered similar head injuries in 2002.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Sengel said a prison sentence would not prevent Begs-His-Own from joining the Tonkawa community, but he needs to be punished for his recklessness.

Cauthron sentenced Begs-His-Own to five years and 10 months in prison.