A man who was charged in the beating death of his 3-year-old stepdaughter was released yesterday from Central Booking and Intake Center after another suspect was charged in the girl's death.

Nicholas Dieter, 21, of Forest Hill, Harford County, walked out of Central Booking after the city state's attorney's office dropped first-degree murder charges against him in the death of Calen Faith Dirubbo of the 2500 block of Moore Ave. The girl died Sunday night in her home.

The state medical examiner's office ruled the death a homicide after an autopsy Monday.

Police said Eric Stoddard, 21, the boyfriend of Calen's mother, Cheryl Dieter-Dirubbo, 24, was arrested at police headquarters Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder and first-degree assault.

Police said information from a witness led to Stoddard's arrest. He was being held without bail last night at Central Booking.