Eddie Runyon and his daughter Amanda Runyon. (Family photograph )

ST. LOUIS — As Eddie Runyon watched his 2-year-old daughter cling to life at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center on Thursday, authorities pointed fingers about whether law enforcement might have stepped in sooner.

Amanda Runyon had been the focus of another case of alleged abuse days before she was hospitalized in critical condition this week after police say she was beaten by her mother’s boyfriend.

The child had been repeatedly punched by the boyfriend, Kraig A. Monroe, because she wouldn’t stop crying, St. Clair County sheriff’s officials say.

Monroe is jailed on a charge of aggravated battery of a child. Monroe, of the 100 block of Princeton Drive, was being held Thursday in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Police say Amanda’s mother, who was at work when the alleged abuse happened, is being held and could face a charge of endangering the welfare of a child. Her name had not been released as of Thursday.

Three other children in the couple’s home, ages 4, 5 and 6, were taken into state custody.

The alleged attack that left Amanda on a feeding tube happened over four days last week and early this week, police say.

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