Man Charged With Providing Alcohol To 11-Year-Old

A 27-year-old Missoula man is charged with providing alcohol to an 11-year-old boy who ended up "deathly ill" outside the man's tent at the Occupy Missoula encampment last week.

John Skinner pleaded not guilty Monday to endangering the welfare of a child.

Missoula police say Skinner encountered the boy and a friend outside a Missoula bar and the friend asked Skinner to buy them alcohol. Skinner then reportedly invited them to his tent on the courthouse lawn so he could keep an eye on them.

Detective Lt. Scott Brodie says someone called 911 after the 11-year-old was found vomiting. He was treated at the hospital and pleaded guilty to underage drinking last week.

Occupy Missoula officials have said Skinner was not participating in the Occupy Missoula movement.

Associated Press