News briefs for February 11, 2005

Friday, Feb. 11, 2005 | 10:39 a.m.

No evidence of sex assault on child

While the coroner's office said Thursday that 2-year-old Jada Southall died as a result of subdural hematoma, or bleeding of the brain, caused by physical abuse, police say there was no sign that the child was sexually abused.

Police allege that Osvaldo Lopez, 26 -- the live-in boyfriend of the child's 19-year-old mother, Roxie Southall -- beat and shook Jada while her mother was at working.

Jada's surviving brother, 1-year-old Draydin, has been in protective custody at Child Haven and will remain there until an investigation into whether he was abused is finished, said Susan Klein-Rothschild, the director of Clark County's child protective services. A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 17, but the toddler could be released earlier if county officials believe Draydin will be safe and secure.

A funeral service for Jada was scheduled for 3 p.m. today at Central Christian Church, on New Beginnings Drive near Russell Road and Stephanie Street in Henderson.

Explosion, fire hits LV home

A family of five was forced to flee their home after neighbors reported a small explosion early this morning, according to Las Vegas Fire & Rescue.

Neighbors in the 2200 block of Brady Avenue near Eastern and Washington avenues called firefighters about 12:30 a.m. after hearing what they thought was a small explosion. Inside, the home's occupants, three adults and two children, thought a traffic collision had occurred outside the home, according to a statement from the department.

By the time firefighters arrived, the fire had spread from the garage to a large palm tree, which had begun to rain burning embers, prompting the evacuation of a neighboring house.

The blaze was brought under control within 10 minutes, firefighters said.

Damage was estimated at $75,000.

Investigators were working this morning to determine a cause, although the fire is believed to have started in the garage, firefighters said.

Berkley given key position

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., has been named the top Democrat on the newly created House Disability and Memorial Affairs subcommittee. This marks Berkely's first time in a leadership position on a House subcommittee.

The new panel, as part of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, oversees compensation, pension and insurance programs provided to veterans by the federal government. She will work with Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., who will be the subcommittee chairman.

One of the main topics under the committee's jurisdiction will be looking at how at the Veterans Department places veterans in different categories for medical benefits. The committee will work to make sure there is consistency from place to place in what veterans receive. The Government Accountability Office has found problems with the system in the past.

Woman hurt in car wreck

A 68-year-old woman was critically injured Thursday after she tried to make a left turn in the path of another vehicle at Town Center and Alta drives, Metro Police said.

Sherry Feibish of Las Vegas was heading south on Town Center just before 4 p.m. and was attempting to turn left onto Alta when her Chevrolet Corsica was struck by an Isuzu Rodeo going north on Town Center, Detective Doug Nutton said.

The Isuzu spun into the path of a Dodge Durango driven by Beth Gabriel, 44, of Las Vegas. The occupants of the Isuzu, whose names were not available, were treated for minor injuries at Summerlin Hospital. Gabriel was not hurt.

Feibish was taken to University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

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