For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1500111 |
| Date Issued: | Oct 02, 2015 - 1:30pm |
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Mother faces multiple child neglect and endangerment charges after son suspected of firing gun outside Cold Springs house |
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| CONTACT: | Bob Harmon Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-785-6235 Cell 775-722-5517 |
Washoe County Sheriff's Deputies arrested Susan Michael Mendez, age 46 of Stead, on multiple charges of child neglect and endangerment after her son was suspected of discharging a firearm into the air outside a Cold Springs residence on Wednesday night.
Shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2015, Deputies responded to a report of a loud argument and possible gunshot outside a home on Oakbrook Lane in Cold Springs. On arrival, witnesses told Deputies that a male juvenile and female juvenile had been arguing outside the house and that the sound of a gunshot had been heard.
Both juveniles left the scene before Deputies arrived. Upon investigation, a single bullet was found in the street outside the residence. With assistance from witnesses, Deputies were able to identify the male suspect and determine his place of residence.
Deputies went to the juvenile's home, located in Stead, where they met with both juveniles and the male juvenile's mother, Susan Mendez. Mendez initially denied the presence of a firearm in the home. After further questioning she admitted to having the firearm and provided Deputies with the weapon's location.
After determining that the firearm was kept loaded in an unsecure location within a home occupied by several juveniles, and that it was suspected to be the same weapon used by the male juvenile in the Cold Springs incident, Deputies arrested Mendez on three felony counts of child abuse or neglect as well as one count of contributing to the delinquency of or neglect of a minor.
The male juvenile was also arrested and booked into the Jan Evans Juvenile Detention Facility on multiple charges related to discharging the firearm.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.