350-pound man gets probation in death of toddler he rolled over on

Friday, Jan. 29, 1999 | 2:59 a.m.

Evan Decker, 29, Sun Valley, pleaded guilty to child endangerment causing substantial bodily harm.

His girlfriend and mother of the boy, Penny Pacheco, earlier pleaded guilty to the same charge and was placed on four years probation.

Each had faced up to 20 years in prison on the charge but probation officials urged leniency.

Washoe District Judge Steven Kosach sentenced Decker Friday, noting he had no criminal record and was seeking counseling for alcohol abuse.

Decker plans to attend college to become an alcohol and drug abuse counselor, his lawyer said.

Pacheco, Decker and the toddler were sleeping in the same double bed in August. Decker had been drinking heavily before going to bed. The body was dead when they awoke, police said.

One condition of the probation is that law officers will have permission to search Decker's car and residence at any time without a warrant to ensure he does not possess drugs or alcohol.

The judge also ordered him to attend Alcoholics Anonymous.

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