A 27-year-old Darby man has been charged with negligent homicide in the death of his 8-month-old son.

Colton Jesse Nielson was charged with negligent homicide and criminal possession of dangerous drugs, both felonies, along with a misdemeanor paraphernalia charge in Ravalli County Justice Court on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Law enforcement responded to a residence on U.S. Highway 93 south of Hamilton around 6:45 p.m. on March 24, after receiving a call from Nielson reporting his son was dead. "We took a nap," "My baby is gone," and "he's dead," Nielson said according to court documents.

Officers found Nielson on the porch of the residence with the unresponsive child when they arrived. The 8-month-old was ultimately pronounced dead at 7:40 p.m. at the Bitterroot Health Emergency Department.

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