A Hastings man on trial for allegedly raping a 9-month-old girl testified Friday, giving jurors his version of how he "accidentally" injured her so severely that she needed reconstructive surgery.

Michael Frederick Schmidt, 41, on trial in Dakota County District Court, initially told police that his hangnail cut the girl, but his defense during the trial has focused on simply a "fingernail scratch" that he claims happened when he tried to catch his wife's young relative as she rolled off of a couch in April.

Two physicians on Thursday dismissed such a scenario as implausible, saying neither a fingernail nor an entire thumb could have caused such a long and deep tear to the baby's body.

Schmidt told jurors that he was changing the baby and turned to get a diaper when out of the corner of his eye he saw the baby "flip" from her back to her stomach, then start to flip again and roll off the couch.

He claims he rose and reached out to catch her, but his legs were crossed and he fell forward. He put out his hand to stop himself and his thumb entered the baby, Schmidt said.

Then he saw blood and he and his wife looked at the wound, Schmidt said.

"I was in complete shock," he said. "I got two girls and I've changed a lot of diapers. I just never thought something like that could, would happen."

Prosecutor Nicole Nee asked Schmidt if he had taken the baby to an upstairs bathroom and raped her.

"No, I did not," Schmidt said. "That's sick."

Schmidt said his wife also was on the sectional couch when the accident occurred. His wife, Tracy Schmidt, earlier testified that she lay on the couch as Michael changed the diaper.

Michael Schmidt has posted $200,000 bail and is out of jail, though he is not staying in his home. Conditions of his release include no contact with children, including his twin boy and girl, born in July.

He's charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, normally punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Prosecutors are asking for an enhanced penalty.

Schmidt was accused of a similar crime against the baby son of his now-wife in 1994, but prosecutors had difficulty assembling a case and he pleaded guilty only to child endangerment. That child was taken away from the family after the prosecution.

Closing arguments are set for Tuesday.

Joy Powell • 952-882-9017