Babysitter allegedly forced child to eat vomit

Friday, Aug. 13, 1999 | 2:49 a.m.

Mary Rivinius, 41, was being held in the Washoe County Jail in lieu of $3,000 bail.

Washoe County social workers initiated the investigation of the allegations of the cruel and vulgar punishments. A 2-year-old girl allegedly was forced to eat vomit.

Police said the abuse was witnessed by a number of children in her care and that Ms. Rivinius later admitted to the allegations.

She has had minor infractions in the past two years and was cited by child care licensing officials for Washoe County. But none of the prior violations involved child abuse, police said.

Reno Police asked parents who had contact with the woman as a babysitter to contact investigators at 775-325-8040.

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