Woman charged with assault on ex-boyfriend

The Flathead County Attorney’s Office has charged a 51-year-old woman with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon after she allegedly attacked her ex-boyfriend on April 27.

Denise Elaine Cronkright is accused of hitting the man with enough force to puncture and collapse his lungs and send him to the Kalispell Regional Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit, according to court documents.

She was arrested Tuesday by Flathead County Sheriff’s Office personnel who first interviewed the alleged victim on April 30 at the hospital.

The man said he went to her home to gather his belongings after recently ending his relationship with Cronkright, according to court documents. She accused him of cheating on her, grabbed an unknown object and struck him in the head, causing him to become dizzy and nearly lose consciousness.

Cronkright is accused of then striking him with either a bat or a chair, causing serious injuries to his lungs.

The man told investigators he woke up several hours later, but could not speak due to his damaged lungs. He said he eventually got his son’s attention by knocking things over, according to court documents.

Cronkright was released from the Flathead County Detention Center Thursday.

Convictions for felony assault with a weapon and aggravated assault each carry maximum sentences of 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $50,000.

Cronkright also has been charged with partner/family member assault, a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail.