ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Michael Stagles pleaded guilty Friday to criminally negligent homicide charges in the death of his three-year-old daughter.

He was visibly emotional in court as he admitted his involvement in the death of his daughter, Brook.

Last week, Stagles’ girlfriend Erica Bell was convicted on murder and manslaughter charges for her role in Brook’s death.

Stagles' trial was scheduled to begin October 13. He will be sentenced December 6 and is facing one to four years in prison.

Investigators say Brook was beaten while living with the couple. Prosecutors say Brook was punched in the stomach so hard her intestines ruptured, causing her death days later.

Stagles appeared remorseful Friday as he admitted that he waited to bring Brook to the hospital out of fear of a CPS or law enforcement investigation. He also admitted that bringing her sooner could have saved her life.

"Today's the first time I've talked with him in quite a few months. He regrets everything. And he's going to live with this the rest of life," said John Greer, Brook’s grandfather.

Geer believes his granddaughter’s death was instrumental in the county’s new plan to overhaul Child Protective Services.

The prosecutor says the blame goes beyond CPS, Bell, or Stagles.

“Instead of pointing fingers at other people, I hope people in the community can look to themselves and think, ‘Next time I see a kid maybe not being treated the right way – or just a suspicion’  - that they would do something more than maybe they would’ve done prior to following this case in the media. Let’s help every child live the life they deserve, that we owe them,” said Assistant District Attorney Sara Van Strydonck.