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A Reno pathologist testified Thursday that a 2-year-old Fallon girl was beaten and bit by an adult before suffering the fatal brain trauma that led to her death in August.
Dr. Ellen Clark performed the autopsy on Nikaliah Knoch the day after the child was taken off life support at Washoe Medical Center. Nikaliah had been airlifted to Reno two days earlier with severe head injuries.
Clark was a witness at Jose "Joey" Valencia's two-day preliminary hearing in Churchill County Justice Court.
She testified about more than 30 blunt force injuries she discovered on the victim during the autopsy. Clark said some of the injuries were days old while others were fresh.
Valencia is charged with first degree murder by means of child abuse. He lived with Nikaliah's mother and siblings at 441 E. Virginia St. on Aug. 14 when the girl became unresponsive and was rushed to the hospital.
Dr. Ellen Clark performed the autopsy on Nikaliah Knoch the day after the child was taken off life support at Washoe Medical Center. Nikaliah had been airlifted to Reno two days earlier with severe head injuries.
Clark was a witness at Jose "Joey" Valencia's two-day preliminary hearing in Churchill County Justice Court.
She testified about more than 30 blunt force injuries she discovered on the victim during the autopsy. Clark said some of the injuries were days old while others were fresh.
Valencia is charged with first degree murder by means of child abuse. He lived with Nikaliah's mother and siblings at 441 E. Virginia St. on Aug. 14 when the girl became unresponsive and was rushed to the hospital.
Clark said at least two areas of trauma - on Nikaliah's back and on her right hand - were consistent with adult bite marks. She said the injury on Nikaliah's hand was a "crushing" wound where a significant amount of pressure was used.
"The amount of injury to the soft tissue was significant. The hemorrhage was not just to the surface, it extends fairly deep into the fat, muscle and bone surface," Clark said.
The doctor said she found 17 injuries caused by blunt force to Nikaliah's face, head and jaw, including damage to the brain that proved fatal. During the autopsy, Clark said she also found evidence of an older brain injury that caused bleeding inside the skull.
Eight areas were identified on her torso, including an internal injury that caused bleeding of her pancreas.
Nikaliah's right arm showed six bruises, and there were twice that many on her left arm, Clark added, including a broken arm that had healed. Some bruises were fresh while others appeared older judged by their color, she said.
"Nikaliah died as a result of multiple blunt force injuries, the most acute being those to her brain," Clark said. "She suffered catastrophic injury to her whole head. There was also an area of bruising on the flap that attaches the upper lip to the gum that indicates blunt trauma to the front of her face."
"The amount of injury to the soft tissue was significant. The hemorrhage was not just to the surface, it extends fairly deep into the fat, muscle and bone surface," Clark said.
The doctor said she found 17 injuries caused by blunt force to Nikaliah's face, head and jaw, including damage to the brain that proved fatal. During the autopsy, Clark said she also found evidence of an older brain injury that caused bleeding inside the skull.
Eight areas were identified on her torso, including an internal injury that caused bleeding of her pancreas.
Nikaliah's right arm showed six bruises, and there were twice that many on her left arm, Clark added, including a broken arm that had healed. Some bruises were fresh while others appeared older judged by their color, she said.
"Nikaliah died as a result of multiple blunt force injuries, the most acute being those to her brain," Clark said. "She suffered catastrophic injury to her whole head. There was also an area of bruising on the flap that attaches the upper lip to the gum that indicates blunt trauma to the front of her face."
When asked by Deputy District Attorney Brandi Jensen if the injuries could have been caused by Nikaliah's siblings, the doctor said they could not.
Dr. Clark also testified that the fatal injury could not have occurred before Nikaliah's mother left for work between 7-7:30 a.m.
"Nikaliah suffered very severe brain trauma that involved a massive amount of swelling. In my experience with an injury of this type, the child succumbs shortly after - from instantaneously to a few hours."
She said a child will show immediate symptoms of seizure or coma when the brain swells.
Upon cross examination by defense attorney Paul Yohey, Clark said if no adult was watching a child, the injury could go unnoticed beyond the normal time.
Dr. Clark also testified that the fatal injury could not have occurred before Nikaliah's mother left for work between 7-7:30 a.m.
"Nikaliah suffered very severe brain trauma that involved a massive amount of swelling. In my experience with an injury of this type, the child succumbs shortly after - from instantaneously to a few hours."
She said a child will show immediate symptoms of seizure or coma when the brain swells.
Upon cross examination by defense attorney Paul Yohey, Clark said if no adult was watching a child, the injury could go unnoticed beyond the normal time.
"If nobody noticed the child or watches the child, I would suspect they wouldn't notice anything wrong with the child. I would expect this child to have evidence of central nervous system or brain trauma shortly after it happened," Clark said.
Julienne Camacho, Nikaliah's mother, testified Wednesday that Valencia called her at work and told her something was wrong with Nikaliah. She rushed home to find the toddler unresponsive with blood coming from her mouth.
Her other children were taken into protective custody by Child and Family Services and are in a foster home, according to comments made in court. Camacho is working to get the children back with the assistance of a lawyer.
Justice of the Peace Dan Ward found enough evidence to send the case to district court for trial. Valencia will be arraigned Tuesday in the Third District Court.
In addition to the murder charge, Valencia is accused of child abuse causing substantial bodily harm, possessing a stolen firearm, possession of a stolen sword and two counts of being under the influence of drugs - methamphetamine and marijuana.
Marlene Garcia can be contacted at mgarcia@lahontanvalleynews.com
Julienne Camacho, Nikaliah's mother, testified Wednesday that Valencia called her at work and told her something was wrong with Nikaliah. She rushed home to find the toddler unresponsive with blood coming from her mouth.
Her other children were taken into protective custody by Child and Family Services and are in a foster home, according to comments made in court. Camacho is working to get the children back with the assistance of a lawyer.
Justice of the Peace Dan Ward found enough evidence to send the case to district court for trial. Valencia will be arraigned Tuesday in the Third District Court.
In addition to the murder charge, Valencia is accused of child abuse causing substantial bodily harm, possessing a stolen firearm, possession of a stolen sword and two counts of being under the influence of drugs - methamphetamine and marijuana.
Marlene Garcia can be contacted at mgarcia@lahontanvalleynews.com
