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Evergreen Man Charged with Homicide in 2-Year-Old Boy’s Death

Brandon Lee Walter Newberry was arrested and charged with deliberate homicide

By Justin Franz

A 21-year-old Evergreen man has been charged with deliberate homicide in the death of his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son.

According to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, Brandon Lee Walter Newberry was arrested and charged with the death of Forrest Groshelle after law enforcement responded on Tuesday to the couple’s home and found the child dead.

According to court documents, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office received a call about an unresponsive child on Feb. 17. During the call, Newberry could be heard screaming in the background, “it’s my fault, it’s my fault.”

When police arrived, they found bruising, scratching and abrasions on Groshelle’s body. An autopsy revealed that the child had been hit multiple times in the abdomen, causing perienteritis, a laceration of the small intestine.

In an interview with sheriff’s deputies, the mother revealed that Newberry had been watching Groshelle on a daily basis while she was at work. The mother also said that her son had been vomiting since Feb. 12, suggesting that the assault may have occurred between Feb. 11 and 17, according to police. During an interview with police, Newberry admitted that he had been “roughhousing” with the child the previous day.

Newberry is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 26. If convicted, Newberry could face up to 100 years in prison.

A candle light vigil is being held to honor Groshelle on Friday at 7 p.m. in Lawrence Park.

Note: This story has been edited to correct Forrest’s last name to Groshelle.