A Columbia Falls man is facing a slew of charges, including rape, after a family visit to his mother's home in late July allegedly devolved into violence.  

Following an investigation launched July 28, prosecutors have brought Daniel Garrison Hutchens, 29, up on felony counts of aggravated sexual intercourse without consent, assault on a minor, stalking and partner or family member assault as well as misdemeanor counts of stalking and partner or family member assault.  

Held in the county jail with bail set at $500,000, he is expected to appear before Judge Paul Sullivan in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 1 for his arraignment.  

Hutchens drew the attention of investigators after allegedly attacking his significant other at his mother's Braig Road home about 7:47 p.m., July 28, according to court documents. His mother told responding deputies that Hutchens and his sister-in-law* both bring their children over several days a week. Hutchens had become angry that night because two of the boys were fighting, she said.  

She recalled telling him to leave, at which point he "lost his mind," she said. A yelling, screaming and sweating Hutchens allegedly began trying to force his children and significant other out of the home. 

When his mother told him to calm down, he allegedly shoved her.  

Hutchens' significant other told deputies that he allegedly made a fist as if he was going to punch her. He also grabbed her by the wrists and tried to pull her out of the house, according to court documents.  

Hutchens' sister-in-law remembered watching as he ripped at his significant other's arms and legs in an attempt to force her out of a chair, court documents said. The sister herded the children into the bathroom and hid there in fear.  

But Hutchens allegedly kicked the bathroom open and pulled his two children out before again focusing his ire on his significant other.  

Hiding behind the toilet with her children, Hutchens' sister-in-law dialed 911, court documents said.  

The deputies who tracked Hutchens down after the disturbance described him as sweating profusely, boasting pin-point pupils, rapid speech and fidgety behavior, according to court documents. Under questioning, he allegedly admitted using cocaine the previous day.  

In the hours after his arrest, Hutchens' significant other was attending to one of her children when she noticed bruising across the child's buttocks, court documents said. The child reported that the injuries came from a spanking Hutchens doled out earlier in the day.  

INITIALLY BROUGHT up on misdemeanor charges in Flathead County Justice Court in connection with the July 28 incident on Braig Road, Hutchens was released on his own recognizance the following day.  

As part of the conditions of his release, he was to stay away from any of the victims or witnesses in his case. His partner also secured a temporary order of protection that included her and the couple's children, court documents said. 

But Hutchens allegedly began contacting her by phone and on Facebook Messenger by the middle of August. She turned the voicemails and messages over to detectives with the Sheriff's Office and recounted years of abuse at his hands, including one recent instance of rape, according to court documents.  

Five days before the disturbance on Braig Road, Hutchens allegedly demanded sex and slapped her across the face seven times after she declined, documents state. He dragged her around the house as she repeatedly said no before pulling her into the bedroom, court documents said. When she tried to escape into the bathroom, he picked her up, put her on the bed and raped her, court documents alleged. 

On Aug. 11, she called the Columbia Falls Police Department after Hutchens allegedly followed her around the valley, including to her children's daycare facility. After unsuccessfully trying to catch up with Hutchens, the officers met with his partner, who said Hutchens had been texting her throughout the day and repeatedly violating his restraining order.  

She contacted the authorities again on Aug. 20 after Hutchens resumed texting and following her around town, court documents said. The texting and phone calls continued on Aug. 21 and included him allegedly threatening to kidnap her and the children as well as burn down her mother's home.  

She alerted the authorities once more on Aug. 25 after Hutchens sent a spate of text messages indicating he planned to take their children, court documents said.  

Hutchens has one previous felony conviction in Flathead County District Court — he pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon in 2022 after taking a plea deal from prosecutors. That case stemmed from an incident where Hutchens leveled a gun at his partner, court documents said.   

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 406-758-4430 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.

*This story has been updated.