Second child abuse sentence given out

RENO - A man who earlier served nine years in prison for child abuse was sentenced Tuesday to up to 10 years in prison for abusing his 11-day-old daughter last year.

Stacy Michael Dozier, 34, of Sun Valley was arrested in February and later admitted to police he injured the infant when he became frustrated that she would not stop crying, prosecutors said.

It was the same reason he had given law officers in the previous case for injuries caused to another infant, which suffered permanent brain damage, Washoe County Deputy District Attorney Kelli Anne Viloria said.

Dozier took the 11-day-old girl to a local hospital emergency room Feb. 26, where hospital staff discovered the baby was bleeding from the mouth and had bruises on her knee, Viloria said.

The baby was placed into foster care in June, when social workers discovered the then-4-month-old girl had additional bruising on her face and back. Later tests showed the girl had suffered a fractured arm, Viloria said.

Dozier apologized for hurting the child during Tuesday's sentencing before Washoe County District Judge Connie Steinheimer, who said he "should have known better" given that he served nine years in prison for similar conduct.

Viloria said Dozier has an obvious "inability to cope with the stress of being around children" and is "dangerous to any child that crosses his path."

He will not be eligible for parole until he serves a minimum of four years.