SOMERSET, Pa. -- A man pleaded guilty but mentally ill to abusing his infant daughter, including snapping her leg and shocking her with an electric cattle prod.

Brandon Austill, 21, of Somerset, entered the plea to six counts each of aggravated and simple assault, eight of reckless endangerment and child endangerment and related offenses yesterday.

"I have a lot of mental illness," Mr. Austill told Somerset County President Judge John Cascio. Mr. Austill said he is taking antidepressants and anti-hallucinogens.

The abuse took place between Sept. 11 -- four days after the girl was born -- and Oct. 31. She sustained two breaks to the left leg, a broken forearm, facial injuries and two skull fractures. She is now in foster care.

By pleading guilty but mentally ill, Mr. Austill could initially be placed into a mental institution for treatment, then serve the rest of his sentence in jail, Judge Cascio said. He is scheduled to be sentenced July 3.