Browning woman admits assaulting child on Blackfeet Indian Reservation

GREAT FALLS - A Browning woman accused of beating and injuring child in a residence on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation admitted to child abuse and assault charges today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

The defendant, Micah Lynn Brown, 25, pleaded guilty to felony child abuse and to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury of an individual under 16 years, as indicted. Brown faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $50,000 fine and three years of supervised release on the child abuse charge and a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years in prison on the assault charge.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Feb. 19, 2025. Brown was detained pending further proceedings.

In court documents, the government alleged that on March 21, Brown was drinking when she returned home to a residence she shared with a boyfriend and children. The boyfriend confronted Brown about her drinking and then left the house to use the phone at a nearby residence. When he returned about 10 minutes later, the front door was blocked by a couch that had been moved. Upon entering, the boyfriend heard the victim, identified as Jane Doe, who was under the age of three, screaming and found her injured in a backroom. Brown was in the same room but didn't say anything. The boyfriend removed the children from the home and called law enforcement. Witnesses told law enforcement that the victim had soiled her diaper and threw it on the ground, angering Brown, who then assaulted the child. The victim was treated for injuries at the Browning Community Hospital.

The U.S. Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case. Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and the FBI conducted the investigation.

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