A 4th District judge denied a request Monday to lower the bail of a Provo man accused of beating a toddler.

Defense attorney Shelden Carter asked for bail to be reduced for Jason Arias, who is currently in jail on a $25,000 cash-only bail. Arias was arrested Dec. 31 after he reportedly admitted to police that he hit his girlfriend's 23-month-old son.

Carter told Judge Darold McDade that Arias has no criminal history and no history of skipping court dates. He said the man also has a very supportive family who will ensure Arias does not miss any hearings once he is released. Arias is a lifelong resident of the area and is not a flight risk, he said.

Carter asked for the bail amount to either be reduced or made bondable.

Prosecutor Doug Finch, however, said Arias committed an unbelievably grievous crime in beating the small boy on three occasions. Arias reportedly admitted to police that he hit the child on the side of the head at least twice with an open hand, leaving a handprint on his head. He also allegedly told police he had previously punched the boy and spanked him on another occasion hard enough to leave bruises.

"This individual admittedly punched a 2-year-old child in the stomach," Finch said.

Finch said there is also an issue of mental illness for a man who has allegedly abused a small child multiple times, and Arias may be a flight risk. The victim and his family also deserve protection from the man, and jail is the best place for Arias. Finch said the blow to the toddler's head was severe enough to cause intercranial bleeding.

"The victim's family is unbelievably concerned with having him out," he said.

Although McDade said he does not believe Arias is a flight risk, he said the victim and his family should be protected from the defendant. He refused to alter the bail, and a preliminary hearing was set for Jan. 26 at 10:30 a.m.

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