Montana News

Toddler beaten in Great Falls being released from Seattle hospital

Posted: Jan 30, 2013 6:52 PM by Jill Valley - MTN News

The toddler who was so badly beaten that he had to be airlifted to Seattle for medical care has family and friends in the Mission Valley who are rallying behind him.

Mason Paul-Evans, 23 months old, was in Great Falls when his mother took him to Benefis hospital with severe injuries on Saturday.

His mother, Alexis Paul, and her boyfriend, Riley Charlo-Whitworth, have been charged in connection with the boy's injuries (see below).

Mason is being released from the hospital in Seattle today to his father and will be returning to the St. Ignatius area north of Missoula to continue his recovery.

We're told that he has a broken leg and bruises from head to toe but is healing very well.

The family is accepting donations to help with medical and travel expenses; you can use the online PayPal service by using the email address "mason.evans2013@gmail.com."

Riley James Charlo-Whitworth, the 20-year old boyfriend of the child's mother, has been charged with aggravated assault, criminal endangerment, tampering with physical evidence, and assault on a minor.

Alexis Paul, the 19-year old mother of the child, has been charged with criminal endangerment for failing to seek medical care for the child in a timely manner.

Court documents released on Monday detail some of the investigation.

The 23-month old child was brought to Benefis hospital with severe abdominal trauma, bruising on his legs, arms, abdomen, neck, head, penis, and buttocks, and a torn frenulum in his mouth.

The child was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for more advanced care; court documents state the child is suspected to have suffered brain injuries.

The child was in the care of Charlo-Whitworth at the time the injuries were sustained, while the child's mother, Paul, was at work.

When questioned by police, Charlo-Whitworth initially said that the child's injuries had been caused by a fall down a short flight of stairs. After being told of the severity of the injuries, Charlo-Whitworth then admitted that he had caused the injuries.