Man pleads no contest to burning daughter with lighter

BILLINGS (AP) – A 44-year-old Billings man has pleaded no contest to charges that he held down his 6-year-old daughter and burned her with a lighter.

The Billings Gazette reports Blaine Startin entered his plea Friday before District Judge Gregory Todd. He also pleaded no contest to drug possession.

Startin was charged with assaulting a minor after the mother of the girl noticed markings on her neck and burns on her arms after the child, who has Down syndrome, spent time with Startin and his girlfriend.

Doctors told the mother the burns looked like they had been inflicted by a lighter and the marks on the girl’s neck were in the shape of a hand.

The plea agreement recommends Startin be sentenced to 10 years with the Department of Corrections. A sentencing date has not been set.