In an initial news report of a disturbing incident of child abuse, a Bismarck man named Harley Peltier faced a felony charge for injuring his infant son, nearly to the point of death. According to Bismarck Tribune, the child's babysitter noticed blood in the infant's diaper, and he later became unresponsive. After being taken to the hospital, it was discovered that the infant had "lacerations, head trauma, retinal hemorrhages and bruises on his arm, wrists, and feet."

After being taken to the hospital, it was discovered that the infant had "lacerations, head trauma, retinal hemorrhages and bruises on his arm, wrists, and feet."

Upon Peltier's arrest, he said he did not harm his child, but that he had "blackout incidents during which he becomes violent." At the time Peltier was charged, he faced the possibility of 10 years in prison. Get the full story from Bismarck Tribune.

Fast forward to today (February 26, 2021), and we have an outcome of this horrific abuse case. According to US News, Harley Peltier pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of neglect. The report states that medical workers could not confirm exactly when the abuse happened, so it can't be said that Peltier was, in fact, the actual abuser. US News reports that Peltier's prison sentence has been suspended and that his probation includes "psychiatric and substance abuse evaluations." Get the full story from US News

I see a lot of "red flags" with the outcome of this situation. I have not seen a report that Peltier has to cut off contact from his son. And if there is the possibility of the babysitter being at fault, how come we have not heard about an investigation into that person?

Probation should not be the end result of this case. If the person who did this to the poor child is still free, who is to say this (or worse) will not happen again?

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