WISC Channel 3 morning weatherman Jeff Smith faces up to 40 years in prison after the Sauk County prosecutor charges he groped his 7-year-old daughter during an incident last fall at their Prairie du Sac home.

Smith's attorney, Stephen J. Eisenberg of Madison, said Smith has a normal, loving relationship with his daughter and he strongly rejects the untruthful allegations.

Jeffrey F. Smith, 44, who uses "Jeff" on the air, now a Merrimac resident, appeared in Sauk County Circuit Court on Friday to face a count of incest stemming from an incident in November 2007.

In court documents, a Sauk Prairie police officer reports observing a child protection worker's interview with the girl this summer. The child described getting into her parents' bed at their Prairie du Sac home while her mother was in the bathroom and her father was downstairs on the computer.

She said she woke in bed with both parents to find her father's hand down the front of her pajama bottoms.

The officer also interviewed the girl's mother, who said they sometimes allowed their daughter to sleep in their bed, such as when there are storms.

One night in November 2007, she awoke to hear her daughter saying "stop it, Daddy" and saw Smith's hand down the front of the daughter's pajamas, the documents state.

The mother said she had to awaken Smith to get him to remove his hand, records state.

Smith initially said he and his wife were going through a divorce and the allegation was about custody, according to documents. All that happened was his daughter woke himself and his wife up in the middle of the night, Smith told the officer.

As the interview continued, Smith modified his story. He said they went to bed after a few drinks and his daughter got into bed between them, the records state. Smith said he was reaching out to his wife and didn't realize his daughter was between them.

Smith has been suspended from his job pending an investigation into the allegations.

If convicted, the charge carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. He is due back in court Jan. 7.