Woman pleads guilty to shaking 7-month-old girl

A 25-year-old Kalispell woman pleaded guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to a felony charge of criminal endangerment after shaking a baby.

Kimberly Butler admitted during a change of plea hearing that she had been baby sitting the 7-month-old girl when she dropped the child, who began screaming and crying. When Butler couldn’t get the girl to stop, she shook her.

When the girl was taken to a doctor, a scan revealed the girl’s skull had been fractured and she had sustained retinal hemorrhaging.

According to a court document, physicians said the extent of the girl’s injuries will be unknown until she is older. They said shaking an infant can lead to death or significant injuries.

The girl’s tearful mother sat in the back of the courtroom as Butler admitted her guilt. Deputy Flathead County Attorney Lori Adams noted that the child still was having problems related to the incident, and asked if Butler had anything to say to the mother.

“I’m terribly sorry for what happened,” Butler said. “I can’t change the actions, I can just accept the consequences.”

In exchange for pleading to the criminal endangerment charge, additional felony charges of aggravated assault and assault on a minor were dropped.

The County Attorney’s Office is requesting Butler be sentenced to two years in the Montana Women’s Prison followed by eight years of probation. Butler’s attorney is requesting a three-year deferred sentence.

Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 10.