MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Authorities say the 5-month-old infant has been released from the hospital after police found the baby buried under sticks and debris for about nine hours in the woods south of Missoula.

The Missoulian reports the boy is in protective custody while his case is handled by the Montana Department of Health and Human Services.

The baby was discovered early Sunday morning after Missoula County deputies apprehended a man in the Lolo Hot Springs area Saturday.

Authorities say 32-year-old Francis Crowley has been charged with felony assault on a minor and criminal endangerment. He remains in custody on $200,000 bail. There was no information on whether Crowley had an attorney.

Crowley told authorities he crashed the vehicle with the baby inside, but he was unable to take them to the site.

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Information from: Missoulian, http://www.missoulian.com