Child’s injury led to arrest of father

Monday, Sept. 25, 2000 | 4:55 a.m.

Avery W. Chesser of Sun Valley was booked Thursday into the Washoe County Jail on charges of child abuse causing substantial bodily harm and domestic abuse.

Sheriff Dennis Balaam said doctors at Washoe Medical Center in Reno called the sheriff's office Wednesday after Chesser's wife brought their daughter in for treatment of an injured leg.

The woman claimed her daughter had slipped in the kitchen, but doctors concluded the injury was inconsistent with such an accident, Balaam said.

The suspect also told deputies the girl hurt her leg when she slipped in the kitchen, but later admitted to striking the child when confronted about the doctor's exam.

The child and a 5-month-old baby in the home were placed in protective custody with Washoe County Social Services.

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