East Fork Judge Jim EnEarl refused Friday to lower the $25,000 cash bail of a 19-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos man accused of hitting his 6-month old son, causing a brain injury.
Alex Seeber, charged with felony child abuse or neglect causing substantial bodily harm, asked the judge to make the bail bondable so he could be released for mental health treatment, to get new medication, and to look for a job.
"I know this charge looks really bad," Seeber said. "I know I won't be able to have my kid in my custody for a long, long time. I am requesting a suspended sentence so I can get help."
EnEarl explained that if the felony charge remains, the case would be adjudicated in district court and the sentence wasn't his decision.
"All the things you said today are positive," EnEarl said, "but I am not going to lower your bail today. You can bring it up again Wednesday."
EnEarl appointed lawyer Tod Young to represent Seeber and set a hearing for Wednesday.
Young also is representing Seeber in civil proceedings regarding the baby's custody.
Seeber is accused of striking the baby in the head because the infant was crying.
He and the baby's 19-year-old mother took the child to Carson Valley Medical Center when the infant became unresponsive. The baby was taken by CareFlight helicopter to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno where he underwent emergency surgery for the removal of a 7 mm blood clot in his brain.
Seeber was arrested at the hospital and taken to Douglas County Jail.
