Great Falls Man Convicted of Injuring Toddler

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — A Great Falls man has been convicted of beating his girlfriend's 2-year-old son, causing injuries including a ruptured pancreas that were treated at a Seattle hospital.

A jury on Tuesday convicted 21-year-old Riley Charlo-Whitworth of aggravated assault, criminal endangerment and assault on a minor for the January 2013 assault. Sentencing is set for March 26.

Prosecutors say Charlo-Whitworth was left caring for the boy while his then-girlfriend Alexis Paul worked. Charlo-Whitworth admitted to police that he assaulted the toddler, but later recanted, saying he was lying to protect Paul.

Paul, who is 20, has pleaded guilty to felony criminal endangerment for failing to seek immediate medical care for her son.

The Great Falls Tribune reports the young boy is now in his father's custody in St. Ignatius. Dylan Evans says his son made a full recovery.