Infant in state custody

The Daily Inter Lake

A 12-day-old infant was in Kalispell Regional Medical Center on Thursday, being evaluated for injuries after his mother allegedly slapped him shortly before midnight Wednesday.

Formal charges are pending against Jessica Leigh Packer, 26, who reportedly was involved in a domestic dispute with her husband at the time. She was booked into the Flathead County jail on a misdemeanor count of partner or family member assault against her husband and a felony count for the alleged assault on the infant.

Myrl Frederick Packer, also 26, made his initial appearance Thursday in Flathead County Justice Court after being arrested Wednesday night on two outstanding warrants.

He pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of partner or family member assault that stemmed from an earlier incident. He pleaded guilty to a criminal mischief charge from an earlier incident.

Flathead County Sheriff Mike Meehan said Myrl Packer called to report a disturbance at the couple's Batavia Lane home late Wednesday, saying he had the baby in the car outside the house.

Packer told deputies that Jessica Packer had slapped the baby earlier and, when he questioned her about that and about her drinking Wednesday night, she assaulted him. He said he then retreated to the car, Meehan reported.

When deputies arrived, they found the baby apparently not seriously injured but they still called for an ambulance. The baby was put under the care of the Child and Family Services Division of the state Department of Public Health and Human Services.