Tyler Deutsch, 25, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges of child assault, criminal mistreatment and interfering with the reporting of domestic violence.
Prosecutors say he fell asleep after putting the child in the freezer Saturday, then awoke and was removing the baby when the child's 22-year-old mother returned to their home in Roy, Wash.
He allegedly took the phone from her when she tried to call for help, so she grabbed the baby and ran to a neighbor's trailer to call police.
Doctors believe the baby will survive, but say it's too soon to know potential complications.
Prosecutors say the baby's core temperature fell to 84 degrees in the freezer. She also had a broken arm and leg and a head injury.
The baby was clothed when the mother left, officials said, but wore only a diaper when she was removed from the freezer.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
