Lafromboise to enter plea in child murder

A Rocky Boy man has offered to plead guilty to a lesser charge stemming from the death of a child on Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.

Thursday, a change of plea hearing for Garrett “Kirby” Lafromboise was scheduled for Tuesday before Magistrate Judge Keith Strong in federal District Court in Great Falls.

Second-degree murder charges remain against Lafromboise’s co-defendant, Cecilia Rose Gardipee.

Federal District Judge Brian Morris, who is presiding over the case, vacated the Feb. 11 trial scheduled for Lafromboise and Gardipee on charges of second-degree murder or aiding and abetting in second-degree murder and assault resulting in serious bodily injury or aiding and abetting in assault.

The sparse information included in the indictment says the two are accused of killing K.S., who was younger than 18, on Oct. 21.

Kaidynce Small, 11 months, died on the reservation Oct. 21.

The mother of Kaidynce Small, Jasmine Small, could not be reached for comment this morning.

Regulations of the U.S. Attorney’s office prohibit the identification of victims.

According to court papers, Lafromboise asked for permission to enter a guilty plea to the second charge, assault resulting in serious injury or aiding and abetting in assault.

The motion to enter the plea says no requirements are requested in exchange for making the plea.

Both charges against Gardipee still were pending as of this morning. No new trial date had been scheduled.