Columbia Falls man pleads not guilty to hurting youths

A Columbia Falls man on Thursday denied abusing children.

Richard James Peterson, 24, pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault on a minor before Flathead District Judge Robert Allison.

Prosecutors have accused him of slapping an 18-month-old toddler and shaking an infant.

Peterson is a convicted felon and sex offender.

His jury trial is tentatively set for May 31. He remains in the Flathead County Detention center on the felony charges and is also being held for misdemeanor driving without a license and criminal contempt.