Christopher J.

Hicks
District Attorney

Guilty Verdict in Child Abuse Prosecution

February 14, 2018
Reno, Nevada

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office is announcing that a local woman has
been found guilty on felony child abuse charges following a weeklong jury trial
that ended late last week. The prosecution is the result of an incident that
took place in December, 2015 where a 23 month-old boy sustained a major head
injury causing permanent brain damage.

Lashae R. Gallon, 30 (dob 6/30/87) from Reno, was found guilty on one count of
Child Abuse or Neglect, with Substantial Bodily or Mental Harm in Washoe County
District Court. Gallon is set for sentencing on April 20, 2018 and faces up to
20 years in prison.

The case against Gallon began in early December, 2015, when the Reno Police
Department and Child Protectives Services with the Washoe County Human Services
Agency responded to a local hospital regarding a child who had sustained a life
threatening head injury. Detectives began an investigation into the cause of the
child’s injury and determined that Gallon and her romantic partner shared
responsibility for the partner’s four children who ranged in age from four months
to four years old.

On the date of the abuse, Gallon was taking care of the children alone when there
was an incident in which Gallon claimed two of the children fell out of a crib
onto a carpeted floor. Gallon claimed the children suffered only minor injuries
and were cared for without incident, though the 23 month-old boy was described as
behaving different than usual. The next day, the child appeared to suffer a
seizure, at which point Gallon called 911 and took him to the hospital.

Medical tests revealed a serious brain bleed, which was described by medical
professionals as being consistent with injuries sustained in a serious car
accident not a fall from a crib. The child required emergency surgery in an
effort to save his life and has suffered permanent brain damage as a result of

For More Information Contact:

Michelle M. Bays
Supervising Investigator/PIO
Office 321-4307
Cell (775) 771-6049
Justice First, People Always
Washoe County District Attorney’s Office
1 South Sierra Street
Reno, Nevada 89501
(775) 328-3200
http://www.washoecounty.us/da
 Christopher J. Hicks
District Attorney

the abuse. Based on contradictory statements about the incident from Gallon to
officers and medical professionals, in addition to medical incompatibilities
surrounding her implausible explanation and the circumstances of the injury,
Gallon was arrested and this office filed formal criminal charges against her.

During trial, Deputy District Attorney (DDA) Michael Bolenbaker presented expert
testimony from the brain surgeon who testified the head injury occurred within a
few hours of the emergency surgery which was wholly inconsistent with the
defendant’s statements to law enforcement. Additionally, DDA Bolenbaker
presented expert testimony from Nevada’s only board certified child abuse
pediatrician whose testimony concluded that the victim’s head injury was
consistent with inflicted abusive head trauma.

For More Information Contact:

Michelle M. Bays
Supervising Investigator/PIO
Office 321-4307
Cell (775) 771-6049
Justice First, People Always
Washoe County District Attorney’s Office
1 South Sierra Street
Reno, Nevada 89501
(775) 328-3200
http://www.washoecounty.us/da