Great Falls parents deny child abuse

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) — Two Great Falls residents have denied child abuse charges filed after a 2-year-old boy was injured so badly he needed to be treated at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Riley James Charlo-Whitworth pleaded not guilty Thursday to aggravated assault, assault on a minor, criminal endangerment and tampering with evidence. The boy's mother, 19-year-old Alexis Michelle Paul, pleaded not guilty to criminal endangerment.

The boy was in the car of Charlo-Whitworth when he was injured on Jan. 28. Prosecutors say Charlo-Whitworth acknowledged spanking the boy, hitting him and throwing him against the wall because he wouldn't stop crying.

Investigators say Charlo-Whitworth went to pick up the boy's mother and the two got ready for bed and watched part of a movie before taking the boy to the hospital. Both are free on bond.