WCDA Announces Child Abuse Prosecution Result

Felony Child Abuse Conviction Results in 20 Year Prison Sentence

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office is announcing that a local woman has been sentenced to 20 years in prison following a conviction on a felony child abuse charge from a February jury trial.  The case was the result of an incident that took place in December, 2015 where a 23 month-old boy sustained a major head injury that resulted in permanent brain damage.  The sentence ensures the defendant must serve 8 years in prison before parole eligibility begins.

Lashae R. Gallon, 30, from Reno, was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison on one count of Child Abuse or Neglect, with Substantial Bodily or Mental Harm.  During sentencing, Deputy District Attorney (DDA) Michael Bolenbaker argued that but for the miraculous life saving measures of medical personnel, particularly Renown Neurosurgery, the victim would have died. 

Facts of the Case:

The case against Gallon began in early December, 2015, when the Reno Police Department and Child Protective Services with the Washoe County Human Services Agency responded to a local hospital regarding a child who had sustained a life threatening head injury.  Detectives began an investigation into the cause of the child’s injury and determined that Gallon and her romantic partner shared responsibility for the partner’s four children who ranged in age from four months to four years old. 

On the date of the abuse, Gallon was taking care of the children alone when there was an incident in which Gallon claimed two of the children fell out of a crib onto a carpeted floor.  Gallon claimed the children suffered only minor injuries and were cared for without incident, though the 23 month-old boy was described as behaving different than usual. The next day, the child appeared to suffer a seizure, at which point Gallon called 911 and took him to the hospital. 

Medical tests revealed a serious brain bleed, which was described by medical professionals as being consistent with injuries sustained in a serious car accident not a fall from a crib.  The child required emergency surgery in an effort to save his life and has suffered permanent brain damage as a result of the abuse.  Based on contradictory statements about the incident from Gallon to officers and medical professionals, in addition to medical incompatibilities surrounding her implausible explanation and the circumstances of the injury, Gallon was arrested and this office filed formal criminal charges against her.