Spirit Lake Nation man admits guilt in felony child abuse charges

Wednesday, September 21, 2011  

A man from the Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation in North Dakota pleaded guilty to two felony child abuse charges.

Roman Cavanaugh Jr., 35, admitted that he used a closed fist to strike his 11-year-old and 12-year-old sons in their faces. He was intoxicated at the time of the December 26, 2010, assaults.

"Both children suffered bruising and swelling to their faces, and the 12-year-old could not speak for 24 hours because of the swelling to his jaw and mouth after taking numerous blows to his face," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a press release.

Cavanaugh faces up to five years on each of the charges.

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Man pleads guilty to child abuse charges (AP 9/21)