Smith Valley woman faces 20 years after Lyon jury finds her guilty of felony child abuse
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Tue, 12/17/2013 - 6:32pm
A Smith Valley woman has been convicted of child abuse causing substantial bodily harm, according to the Lyon County District Attorney’s Office.
Ashlee Marie Kinsey, 24, formerly known as Ashlee Marie Morrow, had been charged with two counts of child abuse. After a four-day trial, a jury found her guilty on Dec. 13 of abusing a young boy by cutting his foot with a boxcutter as a form of punishment. She is scheduled to be sentenced in District Court in Yerington on Feb. 3. She faces up to 20 years in prison.
Prosecutors Orrin Johnson and Brian Haslem of the Lyon County District Attorney’s Office argued, with the help of medical expert, that the injuries identified were unlikely to have been caused accidentally.
In addition to the cut on his foot and a broken arm, the child had suffered multiple additional suspicious injuries, including broken ribs. Dominick Ratto was also implicated in the case, but had plead to a felony child abuse charge earlier this year. Ratto is currently serving a six year prison sentence.
“We’re very satisfied with the outcome,” said Johnson. “Child abuse cases are often difficult to bring to trial, or even identify. Too often, this sort of crime takes place in secret, or is covered up or ignored by other family members. Thanks to a diligent investigation by Lyon County sheriff’s deputies and DCFS, not to mention a very brave little boy, Ms. Kinsey will face justice for what she’s done. We also hope this conviction serves as a reminder to anyone in Lyon County who might be tempted to abuse a member of their family – the Lyon County District Attorney’s Office makes domestic violence and child abuse cases one of our top priorities.”
After the verdict was announced, Kinsey, 24, was taken into custody. She is scheduled to be sentenced in District Court in Yerington on February 3rd, 2014, where she faces up to 20 years in prison.
