Man accused in child abuse held in jail

A 21-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos man was in Douglas County Jail on $25,000 bail, accused of child abuse.

Ruslan Alexandrovich Sadonov was arrested Jan. 19 at his residence.

Deputies said the 4-year-old victim told them he was punished for not cleaning his room. The little boy told investigators he was spanked five times with a belt.

Investigators said the child had several bruises and marks on his legs and hands consistent with the use of a belt.

He will appear in East Fork Justice Court on Feb. 6.

n A Gardnerville man was charged with domestic battery, accused of pushing a table against a 4-year-old boy who is autistic.

Chad Etheridge was arrested Jan. 20. He was charged with battery that constitutes domestic violence with one prior.

His bail was set at $6,000.

According to court reports, Etheridge, 31, was convicted of domestic battery on Nov. 12, 2003.

He reportedly has five prior contacts for domestic battery, according to court reports.

According to reports, deputies were called to the Foothill Road residence on Jan. 20 at 5:21 p.m.

Etheridge reportedly had been drinking and became angry.

He allegedly pushed a kitchen table against the 4-year-old pinning the little boy in his chair. The chair fell backwards and boy hit his head on the floor. The child's mother went to pick him up and Etheridge reportedly slapped her in the face.

Etheridge was released on house arrest with the condition that he have no contact with the victims.

The boy's mother told officers she was moving out with the couple's four children.

Etheridge is to appear in East Fork Justice Court on Feb. 8.

n A Gardnerville resident, who turned 19 on Jan. 20, was sentenced that day to three suspended jail terms after he admitted driving his vehicle into an unoccupied home.

Skyler King pleaded guilty to driving without due care, hit-and-run and minor consuming in connection with the Dec. 28 incident.

Deputies responded to the intersection of Cottonwood Drive and Mill Creek Circle concerning a hit-and-run accident. When they arrived, they discovered major damage to the house. The license plate from King's vehicle was stuck in a wall.

King said he was scared after the accident and had been going to report it the next day, but deputies arrested him first.

He said his insurance would pay for the damage.

Prosecutor Mike McCormick said the victim did not request additional restitution.

At his arrest, King's blood-alcohol content was .081, barely over the legal limit of .08 for driving in Nevada.

He tested negative Friday for drugs or alcohol. East Fork Judge Jim EnEarl sentenced King to a suspended 180 days in Douglas County Jail on each charge and placed him on probation. He must refrain from drugs and alcohol and is subject to random testing for controlled substances.

King must be employed.