Bismarck Man Accused of Assault on Infant

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Bismarck man is accused of hitting his 5-month-old son and fracturing the infant's skull.

Twenty-six-year-old Franklin Crone Jr. also is accused of beating the baby's mother. He faces a felony child abuse charge and a misdemeanor assault count. He could be sentenced to more than 10 years in prison if convicted.

Crone appeared in court on Monday. He did not enter pleas, and told Judge Cynthia Feland that he did not want a public defender. Court documents do not list an attorney for him.

Feland set Crone's bond at $20,000 cash.

The child was taken to a hospital on Friday. The boy's condition is not known.