Stepfather accused of battering 11-month-old

MINDEN - A 27-year-old man was jailed Tuesday on suspicion of child abuse causing substantial bodily harm after his 11-month-old stepdaughter was hospitalized with a skull fracture, bruises and evidence of a prior broken arm.

Bail was set at $25,000 for Stephen Joseph Tribon of the Gardnerville Ranchos. He is to appear in East Fork Justice Court today for arraignment.

Tribon was arrested after deputies were called to Carson Valley Medical Center early Monday for a possible child abuse.

According to reports, Tribon and the baby's mother brought her to the hospital at 4:45 a.m. The examining physician called deputies because he was concerned that the mother had no explanation for the injuries and was inconsistent in explaining what happened.

Initially, the mother said the injuries occurred while the baby was with her father, with whom she shares custody.

According to court documents, Tribon admitted to an investigator that he caused the injury.

He said the baby woke up crying at 2:30 a.m., and he changed her diaper and gave her a bottle.

A little later, Tribon told the officer he picked the baby up by the waist, swung her toward the crib and slammed her head on top of the wooden frame.

Tribon allegedly dropped her in the crib and slammed her right ear into the wooden frame, according to reports.

He told the investigator the baby cried a little.

Tribon reportedly said he came back in the room 15 minutes later and felt the soft spot on her head and realized he'd made a mistake.

Tests indicated the baby had a fractured skull to the right side of her head.

Because of the skull fracture, the child was taken by ambulance to Renown Regional Medical Center.

The infant has been placed in the custody of Child Protective Services as has her 5-year-old sister who appeared in good health, according to reports.

Tribon appeared in court on Wednesday.

East Fork Judge Tom Perkins denied Tribon's request that his $25,000 bail be lowered so he could return to work.

If Tribon does bail out, he is forbidden to have contact with the baby.