Crime and Courts

Three Forks man accused of breaking baby's arm, striking him

Posted: Oct 9, 2012 9:44 AM by Erin Schattauer
Updated: Oct 9, 2012 9:49 AM

BOZEMAN - A Three Forks man is charged with assaulting a minor after he reportedly broke his four-week-old baby's arm and hit him in the abdomen.

Bryce Alan Duval, 19, took his four-week-old son to Bozeman Deaconess Hospital Monday, Oct. 8 and told the doctor he had struck his child in the abdomen, according to court papers. Doctors found the baby had a large bruise on his abdomen and his upper left arm was broken.

Bozeman police officers came to the hospital and detectives interviewed Duval who said he was at this home in Three Forks and the baby wouldn't stop crying. Duval said he hit the child with an open hand, causing pain and bruising, court papers state.

Duval said the baby continued to cry, so he grabbed his left arm to turn him onto his stomach so he could rub his back, but admitted he did it aggressively and then noticed the baby's left arm "was just hanging there as if it was broken," court papers state.

Duval was taken to the Gallatin County Detention Center on the felony charge. He is being seen in court today.