Kalispell man denies assault

A Kalispell man denied charges that he broke a child’s arm and slapped her in the face.

Christopher James Brafford, 29, pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault on a minor, a felony, in front of Flathead County Judge Amy Eddy on Feb. 23.

According to court documents, a Flathead County Sheriff’s deputy responded to Kalispell Regional Medical Center on a call about a 3-year-old girl with a broken arm on Feb. 8.

When the officer arrived, he said he found the girl had a spiral fracture in her arm, a large red mark on her face that matched the shape of a hand and bruising on her broken arm consistent with adult fingers.

The girl’s mother stated that at the time of the incident the child was in the care of Brafford, her boyfriend.

The mother stated that Brafford had called her at work and said he was trying to spank the child when she twisted from his grasp. Brafford allegedly told her he heard a popping noise come from her arm.

While the deputy was photographing the girl’s face at the hospital, she allegedly told him “that’s where Chris smacked me.”

A jury trial has been set for July 3.

If convicted, Brafford faces up to five years in the Montana State Prison and a maximum fine of $50,000.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.