Father accused of assaulting son with belt
Juan Carlos Mejia-Prado. (Photo courtesy the Flathead County Sheriff's Office)
A man accused of taking a belt to his son in 2020 is expected to be arraigned Thursday on one count of felony assault on a minor.
Prosecutors first filed the charge against Juan Carlos Mejia-Prado, 36, in April 2020, according to documents filed in Flathead County District Court. Mejia-Prado was booked into the county jail on Feb. 19, 2025 and released a day later on his own recognizance.
The Kalispell Police Department began investigating Mejia-Prado in January 2020 after the mother of his child accused him of striking the boy with a belt, court documents said. Investigators also described finding a "looping welt" on the minor, court documents alleged.
During a subsequent interview at the Flathead County Children's Advocacy Center, the boy confirmed what his mother had said, telling authorities that his father struck him with a belt in his bedroom.
On Jan. 28, 2020, detectives met with Mejia-Prado, who allegedly admitted to hitting the child. He told authorities it was a mistake, according to court documents.
Assault on a minor is punishable by up to five years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. Judge Paul Sullivan is presiding over the case.
News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or dperkins@dailyinterlake.com.