A Bozeman man who was initially charged with negligent homicide in the August death of his 7-month-old son has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.
Vincent Leroy Garbe pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony assault on a minor for an earlier incident, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported. The baby’s cause of death was undetermined.
Garbe pleaded guilty to falling while holding his son in January, causing the baby to suffer a fractured neck. Because of that fall, the Division of Child and Family Services had prohibited Garbe from being with the baby unsupervised. He was home with the baby while his girlfriend was at work when the baby died, court records said.
Under the plea agreement, Gallatin County prosecutors are recommending Garbe be committed to the Montana Department of Corrections for 10 years, with five years suspended. The department would determine his placement, which could range from probation to prison. Garbe’s attorney can recommend a lesser sentence.
District Judge Holly Brown scheduled Garbe’s sentencing for July.
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