A former North Haven man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of his 4-month-old niece.

The New Haven Register reports (http://bit.ly/LuVIpC) that 35-year-old David Canizares faces seven to 10 years in prison after agreeing to a plea deal Thursday in New Haven Superior Court. Sentencing is set for Sept. 7.

Police say Canizares was watching his niece, Makayla Aseltine, and his 14-month-old daughter in North Haven in October 2009 when the younger girl suffered severe head injuries.

Police say Canizares first told them he swung the baby in a sharp motion that caused her head to snap from side to side, but he also told them later that the girl was injured in a 4-inch fall.

Canizares is free on $1 million bail and now lives in Pennsylvania.