Kalispell man pleads guilty to endangering child’s life

A Kalispell man accused of running shirtless in traffic while holding his infant son and under the influence of methamphetamine pleaded guilty to the offense Thursday in Flathead County District Court.

Angel W. Perez, 27, of Kalispell, entered a plea of guilty to one count of criminal endangerment in front of District Judge Amy Eddy.

Also, Flathead Deputy County Attorney Andrew Clegg introduced a probation revocation dating back to a 2015 case when Perez pleaded guilty to threatening to kill a woman with a razor blade. Perez was sentenced to 10 years, with five suspended in that case.

Perez was charged with the most recent incident on the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 19, in Evergreen that involved his infant son, according to a press release from the Flathead County Sheriff’s Department.

“I think the worst thing I could have done was hold the child while crossing the road,” Perez said in court.

Deputies responded to 1695 Montana 35 for a welfare check on a man and his infant son. The reporting party indicated the man had been acting paranoid and she feared for the safety of the child. A few minutes later a second call was received by dispatch, indicating a man was running around in the road and parking lot of the Town Pump, 2605 U.S. 2 E., with no shirt on and holding the infant.

Deputies responded and negotiated with the Perez, and took custody of the child. The child was evaluated by medical personnel.

Perez was treated at the scene by medics and transported to the hospital for further evaluation. He is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 21.

Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or shindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.