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Ronan man admits to assaulting partner, child

JEFF SMITH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 2 weeks AGO
by JEFF SMITH
Jeff Smith is news director for Anderson Broadcasting and a contributor to the Lake County Leader. | July 23, 2026 12:00 AM

Clarification: This story originally included details about the victim. Those have been removed to protect the victims. 

A Ronan man admitted to assaulting an individual and a minor.

Tyler Hildreth, 30, entered a plea of guilty in Polson District Court on July 16 to partner or family member assault, second offense, misdemeanor and felony assault on a minor.

The plea was entered as part of a plea agreement that could dismiss one count of misdemeanor endangering the welfare of children at sentencing. The judge is not bound by the agreement.

According to charging documents, on March 2, Ronan Police responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at a residence. When the officer arrived, he could see that an altercation had occurred.

An individual at the residence told the responding officer that Hildreth and the minors sat down for dinner. The individual stated that the minor asked if the individual was going to eat, and they responded “no.”

That’s when Hildreth threw a spatula of hot food at the individual, which hit them in the face, and threatened to flip the table over on the minors. He also “smacked” a minor and struck them over the head with a thick porcelain plate, breaking it.

The officer noted broken pieces of the plate and food scattered on the floor. A nurse who treated the minor indicated that he suffered a contusion on the top of his head. Records show Hildreth with one prior partner/family member assault in Missoula Municipal Court on Sept. 18, 2024.

Judge John A. Mercer set sentencing for Sept. 24. Hildreth remains at liberty.

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