Dad charged with abusing 1-year-old son, 7-month-old daughter (Great Falls, Montana)

Dad MATTHEW PAUL THIBERT has been charged with two counts of assault on a minor. Dad was apparently "caretaking" while Mom was not at home, and during that time, saw fit to slap the 1-year-old son in the chest and the back of the head, and bruise the arm of the 7-month-old daughter. Why the children have been placed with the grandparents is not really explained.

Hat tip credit to Shan for finding this.

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20091203/NEWS01/912030311/1002/news01/Man-charged-with-abusing-his-kids

Man charged with abusing his kids
By Tribune Staff • December 3, 2009

A Great Falls man is accused of abusing his two young children.

Matthew Paul Thibert, 32, who is charged with two felony counts of assault on a minor, made his initial appearance in Cascade County District Court on Wednesday.

Thibert is accused of slapping his 1-year-old son in the chest and the back of the head, and causing bruising to the arm of his 7-month-old daughter, court documents state. The daughter had difficulty moving her left arm because of the injury.

Great Falls Police began investigating the injuries after a Great Falls Clinic doctor discovered bruising on the children Tuesday.

Thibert told police the children were hurt by the family cat and after falling off furniture, but the doctor found that the injuries were not consistent with that story. Thibert was arrested after a police interview.

Police determined that the injuries to both children happened sometime Tuesday morning or early afternoon. The children's mother was not home when the alleged abuse took place, according to police.

The children have been placed in the care of their grandparents, according to police.

Thibert was being held Wednesday in the Cascade County Adult Regional Detention Center on a $25,000 bond.