Fallon man in custody for allegedly battering toddler

The man suspected of severely beating a 2-year-old Fallon girl is in custody. Two others have also been arrested in connection with the case.

Reno police arrested Jose Valencia Jr., who is also known as "Joey," early Monday morning at the Downtowner Motor Lodge in Reno. At the time of his arrest, Valencia, 27, had a bus ticket "home," said Fallon Police Chief Russ Brooks. Brooks said he did not see the ticket and did not know where Valencia called home.

Valencia is accused of child abuse causing substantial bodily harm linked to the alleged beating of the toddler on Sunday.

Court documents filed to obtain a search warrant at 441 E. Virginia St., from where state paramedics received a call of a child who was not breathing at 2:28 p.m. Sunday. Police also responded.

A Fallon police sergeant drove to Churchill Banner Community Hospital and saw scratch marks, bruises, abrasions and cracking and swelling on the victim's lips, the document states. The girl was unresponsive.

Medical experts told authorities there were also "what appeared to be a number of human bite marks on her body," the document states. They also reported that the girl suffered severe head injuries, including serious brain trauma.

The child is on maximum life support in critical condition at Washoe Medical Center, Brooks said. She underwent surgery on Sunday, and is not expected to survive, court documents state.

During the investigation, investigators learned from a witness that the victim had been hit with a closed fist and a coat hanger before being placed in a bedroom with the door closed. The young witness named Valencia as the person who hit the girl, and said he could hear yelling from the bedroom where she was placed, according to court records.

Also arrested was Henry Allen Camacho, 23. He is charged with child abuse causing substantial bodily harm with bail set at $10,000 cash.

Assistant Police Chief Ray Dolan said Camacho told police he was the only adult in the apartment and had been the only adult home all day. He was allegedly baby-sitting the 2-year-old, a 3-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy.

"We found out later that was not true," Dolan said. "The reason Henry was arrested is because he was the sole responsible adult taking care of the children. A child was seriously injured in his care."

The children's mother was at work, Dolan added. Police said Valencia is her live-in boyfriend.

On Sunday, police scoured the city looking for a teal blue Ford Tempo Valencia had been driving. It was stopped in Fallon Monday morning on East Stillwater Avenue.

The driver was Stephen Cheek Jr., 24, said Dolan. Cheek was arrested Monday morning and is accused of obstructing or delaying police.

His bail is set at $1,122.

"He provided false information to law enforcement," Dolan said.

Fallon police, assisted by deputies from the Washoe County Crime Lab, searched the East Virginia Street residence through the night for clothing, blood, bedding and other items that might help in the investigation.

"A number of items were confiscated and taken to the Washoe County Crime Lab for analysis," said Dolan.

n Marlene Garcia can be contacted at mgarcia@lahontanvalleynews.com.