HELENA – A Lewis and Clark County District Judge sentenced Aaron J. Oliphant to 20 years, with five suspended, at the state prison for assaulting and injuring his 4-month-old son in 2016.
During a September trial, prosecutors said Oliphant was the sole caregiver on June 8, 2016, when his 4-month-old son suffered five skull fractures and retinal bleeding in both eyes.
Doctors said they found the child suffering from non-accidental trauma threatening the baby’s life. The child was flown to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City.
The injuries were documented by a CT scan and an MRI and confirmed by teams of doctors in Helena and Salt Lake City.
A jury convicted Oliphant of aggravated assault on Sept. 27. At sentencing on Monday, Judge Mike Menahan said that the child will suffer for the rest of his life.
The mother of the child said the now nearly 2-year-old undergoes therapy three times a week and still suffers seizures regularly.
