Baby Noah Breathing On His Own

Sgt. Christie Wood reports that Noah Blanchard, a month-old baby that’s the apparent victim of child abuse, has been removed from a ventilator and is breathing on his own. However, Wood reports, the doctors caution that his condition is still very serious, with likely long term medical problems. He will be hospitalized for quite some time.” The baby boy is now in the custody of the Department of Health and Welfare. Meanwhile, James Dean Blanchard, 19, of Coeur d’Alene (pictured), has been charged with felony injury to a child. Bond was set at $100,000 during Blanchard’s first appearance before Kootenai County magistrate Judge Clark Peterson. A preliminary hearing is expected within 14 days.

• Alison Boggs’ original story here