BEMIDJI — A new federal law would have prevented the man charged in the drowning death of his 2-year-old foster daughter from being a care provider.

Nathan Jackson is accused of leaving the girl, Kira Friedman, in a plastic bin in the shower on June 5. Police say they found the toddler in the basement with bruises to her head and body and blood coming from her nose. Her death was attributed to drowning.

Jackson’s home had a foster license from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Federal law did not previously require a background check, which would have showed Jackson’s convictions for assault and theft.

President Obama last week signed a law that requires background checks of all tribally-licensed foster care providers. It was signed two days before the girl died.