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LEXINGTON, S.C. (WACH, AP) -- A judge has set a $525,000 bond for a man who authorities say poured bleach into the water tanks of a kidney dialysis machine in West Columbia as revenge against his employer.

Forty-nine-year-old Donald Foster III on Thursday asked the judge to let him out of jail because he is a single parent with a 5-year-old daughter. Foster says the incident was a misunderstanding.

"My whole priority is taking care of my family. I'm not going anywhere. I just want to go home to my daughter and take care of my family. I just ask that I can get out. go home to be with my family, possibly go to work until I go to court."

Prosecutors asked for the highest bond possible, but did not give a specific amount. They said Foster's employer feared being he may continue to be a threat to them; as well as the rest of the community.

Foster was arrested Wednesday and charged with attempted murder and second-degree burglary.

A spokesman for Fresenius Medical Services says the bleach was found during one of several daily checks before any patients were harmed.

Lexington County Sheriff James Metts says patients could have died if clinic workers hadn't found the bleach in the water.

Investigators say Foster was suspended from his job as an equipment manager at Fresenius Medical Services on July 2, and then broke in July 6.

Foster's attorney and the manager at the clinic declined to comment to WACH Fox.

Under South Carolina law, attempted murder is a felony that carries a maximum punishment of 30 years in prison.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)