Boy claims father tried to drown him

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said on Friday his office is investigating whether or not a father might have tried to drown his 8-year-old son the day before.

Curry said a Montana Highway Patrol trooper initially responded Thursday afternoon to the report of a crash on Montana 35.

The trooper noticed the little boy was wet and asked how he had gotten drenched. The boy claimed that his father had tried to drown him in a river.

“Dad went to the hospital for the mental health evaluation because he was not of his right mind,” Curry said.

The child was released to the custody of a relative, Curry said. The boy was believed to have been visiting his father during spring break.

The Sheriff’s Office is investigating to determine whether charges are appropriate, Curry said.