A Columbia Falls man was sentenced Thursday for assaulting a child with a spatula in what Judge David Ortley called one of the most “bizarre ritualistic acts” he has seen in his time on the bench.

Isaac Gregory Christensen, 37, initially charged with sexual abuse of a child, is headed for the custody of the Montana Department of Corrections for four years to serve time and receive treatment for alcoholism or mental health issues.

Ortley sentenced Christensen to 15 years with the Montana Department of Corrections with 11 years suspended. Christensen also will have to pay a $3,000 fine, register as a violent offender and complete a chemical and mental health evaluation.

“I am firmly convinced there is a mental-health component to this that has been completely unexplored,” Ortley said.

As part of a plea agreement, Christensen pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a weapon. Initially he had been charged with felony sexual assault of a child.

The case began to unfold after Christensen’s mother called a neighbor in May 2014 to check on her son because she had not heard from him in several days.

Neighbors used a crowbar to break into a backwoods Columbia Falls cabin and found Christensen undressed in an upstairs bedroom with a naked 5-year-old child. Neighbors had to coax the boy to get dressed because he said Christensen would not allow him to. The adults found there were bruises and bite marks on the boy.

According to court documents, the boy told investigators that Christensen would lie on top of him and bite him and beat him with a spatula at times when Christensen claimed he “had Satan” in his heart.

Ortley called the ritualistic aspects of the cases very concerning.

Ortley said Christensen had exhibited “completely unacceptable conduct and behavior” and there appeared to be a sexual component to the abuse, but because the charge had been reduced, Christensen would not be required to register as a sex offender or enter sex offender treatment.

“I’m sentencing you for the assault with a spatula,” Ortley said, although he noted he was tempted to take a different stance. “This is not a sex case, it is assault with a weapon. It certainly has those bizarre aspects that I feel duty-bound to address.”

During the sentencing, members of Christensen’s family called the behavior very uncharacteristic.

His mother, Alice Christensen, said she did not believe the allegations when she first heard them.

“I’ve never seen him violent,” Alice Christensen said. “I’ve seen him drunk many times. Isaac is a gentle soul. He loves gardening and greenhouses. At home he was the most help.”

Alice Christensen attributed the conduct to alcoholism that re-emerged after her son’s wife left him. Alice said she did not believe there was a sexual element to the case.

Nanette Sample, Christensen’s sister, also said the conduct was not typical.

“I have known him all his life and I have never seen anything like this before,” Sample said.

Deputy County Attorney John Donovan did not agree with the alcoholism defense.

“There are tons of alcoholics who don’t bite children, hit them with a spatula and strip them naked,” Donovan said.

He asked that Christensen be sent to Montana State Prison for 20 years with 10 years suspended.

Defense attorney Sean Hinchey asked that the judge consider Christensen’s mild manner. He recommended that Ortley pronounce a 10-year commitment to the Montana Department of Corrections with five years suspended.

“It’s a weird situation, but there is nothing in Isaac’s past that indicates this was for sexual gratification,” Hinchey said.

Ortley noted that Christensen had been “almost eerily” mild-mannered in court for such a serious case and said that the mental-health professional who evaluated Christensen believed the defendant has a tendency to paint himself in a better light when describing himself.

He also said Christensen has failed to take responsibility for the incident and claimed that he could not remember what happened.

“You are quick to look to excuses and blame other people,” Ortley said.

He said he hoped Christensen would get the help he needed while incarcerated.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.