A Ronan man is accused of hitting a child with a porcelain plate and causing a disturbance during family dinner time.

Tyler Hildreth, 30, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson March 12 to misdemeanor partner or family member assault and felony charges of assault on a minor and endangering the welfare of children.

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

A woman at the residence told the responding officer that Hildreth, her young daughter and son sat down for dinner.

She stated that the daughter asked if she was going to eat, and she responded “no.” That’s when Hildreth allegedly threw a spatula of hot food at her which hit her in the face. He then allegedly threatened to flip the table over on the kids, “smacked” the son and struck him over the head with a thick porcelain plate, breaking the plate.

The officer noted broken pieces of the plate and food scattered on the floor. A nurse who treated the little boy indicated that he suffered a contusion on the top of his head.

Records show Hildreth with one prior PFMA in Missoula Municipal Court on Sept. 18, 2024.

Judge John A. Mercer set the case for trial on Aug. 10. Hildreth remains at liberty.

Editor's Note: This story was corrected April 7 to reflect that the child suffered a contusion, not a concussion as was originally reported.