A Kalispell man was given a five-year sentence Thursday for beating his 5-month-old daughter.

Brandan James Ryan Thorne, 21, was convicted of felony assault on a minor after pleading no contest in December. A second felony charge of tampering with witnesses and informants was dropped.

Thorne was arrested in April 2014. According to court documents, the initial call came in from a neighbor, who said she heard loud banging and yelling.

Police arrived to find Thorne holding the motionless 5-month-old baby. She was taken to the hospital.

Thorne initially told police that he tripped with the infant in his arms and that the yelling was over the phone. Call logs disputed this claim. Thorne would later admit to police that he was upset with the baby and was yelling at her. He claimed that he blacked out during the incident.

According to the court documents, Thorne had texted a friend to ask for an alibi to cover for the phone call story.

The infant was eventually taken to Spokane for medical treatment. Court records say that she suffered retinal hemorrhages throughout her eyes and began suffering seizures. Surgery was required to drain subdural hematomas.

In statements to police, medical personnel determined that the injuries were consistent with child abuse.

The court accepted Thorne’s no contest plea in December and dismissed the tampering charge.

The full sentence handed down Thursday by Judge Ted O. Lympus was 15 years with 10 suspended to the Montana Department of Corrections.

Thorne received credit for already serving 245 days.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.