Kalispell driver faces three child endangerment felony charges

A Kalispell man is facing a trio of child endangerment charges after allegedly driving drunk.

Larry Baker, 38, entered pleas of not guilty to the three felonies during Flathead District Court proceedings on Oct. 24.

A court document alleges a Flathead County deputy stopped Baker on Oct. 4 as he was headed north from Bigfork after receiving a report of a physical disturbance inside the vehicle. Baker and his passenger admitted arguing but said there had been no physical violence.

Also in the vehicle were three children under age 12.

Baker allegedly admitted he had been drinking and took a breath-alcohol test that indicated he was at nearly one-and-a-half times the legal limit. He also reportedly failed field sobriety tests and another breath-alcohol test.

If convicted on all three counts, Baker faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000.

He was initially incarcerated in the Flathead County Detention Center on a $25,000 bond, but he was later released on his own recognizance with the stipulation that he wear a remote alcohol-monitoring bracelet.

His next hearing is set for Feb. 12, 2014.