The 1-year-old girl, Aaliyah Kahalewai, was found dead by her mother on Friday after Steven Kendall, 23, babysat while she was at work. When Azhalane Kahalewai came home -- she said Kendall left quickly -- and began sending her text messages apologizing.

Kendall was arrested Tuesday by Pierce County sheriff's deputies. He was ordered held in jail on $500,000 bail in the death of Aaliyah.

According to charging documents prepared by the prosecutor's office, Kendall told detectives he shook the child and that he accidentally struck her against a bedroom wall.

He said he left the girl alone for a while and returned to find the 1-year-old standing next to a bookshelf, trying to climb it. He said used a closed fist to try to sweep her aside, but that she was "unexpectedly propelled into the bookshelf" that fell on top of her, according to the documents obtained by KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Kevin McCarty. Detectives said there is no evidence that the shelf fell over.

The medical examiner said the girl suffered one or two powerful blows to the head and that she had an injury on her right cheek that could be consistent with striking a counter edge found in the apartment where she died, the documents said.

Investigators said Kendall confessed to hitting Aaliyah once, but still insists her death was accidental.

Family members of the little girl said the man accused of killing her had never shown signs of violence.

"I never thought that he would do anything to hurt her like this, I don't understand, I need answers," said Azhalane.

Investigators have also provided evidence that could be used in a lesser charge -- that includes assault in the third degree by criminal negligence.