Man pleads innocent to kidnapping charge

A 36-year-old Hungry Horse man pleaded not guilty to felony charges of kidnapping and criminal endangerment and a misdemeanor charge of partner or family member assault Feb. 23 in Flathead District Court.

According to court documents, Joshua Mattingly would not allow his ex-girlfriend and her children to leave a house on Feb. 2, 2012.

When she took her children outside and tried to get in her car, he allegedly began punching and kicking her, knocking her to the ground and dragging her back in the house.

Mattingly allegedly continued to punch and kick her in the head, hip and back while she tried to get her head under a bed to protect it.

A neighbor told Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies that she heard a woman outside screaming and yelling “no, no.” She said she saw Mattingly drag her back in the home.

The witness also said she saw one of the woman’s children run to the road and yell, “Daddy is kicking mommy in the face and beating her up.”

Mattingly is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond and faces between two years plus one day and 20 years plus six months in prison and a fine of between $100 and $100,500.

His next hearing is scheduled March 7. He is also scheduled for sentencing March 29 on a conviction for felony drug possession.