Order allows media into child abuse hearing

Justice of the Peace Robey Willis filed an order Wednesday granting the media limited access to a preliminary hearing Friday in the case of two children allegedly held captive and starved by their family.

In the document released Wednesday afternoon, Willis said one television camera, two still cameras and eight reporters will be allowed access into the evidentiary hearing of Regina Rios, 33; Esther Rios, 56; and Tomas Granados, 33, on felony charges of child abuse and false imprisonment.

The trio are accused of keeping Regina Rios' 16-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son, captive and starving in a bathroom of their Como Street apartment for at least three years. The two children, weighing 41 pounds and 31 pounds when they were found Jan. 19, are recovering at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. Neither child appears to have been enrolled in Carson City schools in the five years the family is believed to have lived here. There other healthy children found in the home, ages 17, 12 and 9, are in the custody of the state.

In the order, Willis also stated there are to be no pictures of the victims "at any time before, during and after these proceedings, including during testimony." He further prohibited the media from photographing or filming the victims in the hallways or parking lot or identifying them by anything other than their first names.

The Rios women and Granados are each charged with two counts of child abuse causing substantial bodily harm, two counts of child neglect causing substantial bodily harm and two counts of false imprisonment. Each has been appointed a public defender and each is being held on $100,000 bail in the Carson City Jail.

More than $14,000 has been donated to an education fund for the two children set up by the Carson City Sheriff's Protective Association.

Thomas "Scarecrow" Fletcher, a member of the Righteous Ones Motorcycle Club of Northern Nevada, said his group hopes to raise even more.

The Righteous Ones are hosting a fundraiser Saturday with drawings, food and music at T's Tavern, 3679 S. Carson St., in the Eagle Station Shopping Center beginning at noon. Raffle prizes include meals and services donated by area businesses.

"What happened to these kids is just a travesty. We were all touched by it, as soon as it came out," he said. "We just love helping kids. These kids just stand out and they need the help and we're doing it."

-- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.

If you go

What: Poker Run to benefit the Second Chance Fun

When: noon Saturday

Where: T's Tavern, 3679 S. Carson St., Eagle Station Shopping Center

You can help

Gifts for the children may be sent to the Division of Child and Family Services:

Attention: Chrystal Main, 1572 E. College Parkway No. 161, Carson City, NV 89706

Monetary donations can be made to an education, medical and basic needs fund for the children set up by the Carson City Deputies Association at any Bank of America branch to the Second Chance Fund:

Acct. No. 005011351167

Mail-in donations may be sent to:

Second Chance Fund c/o Carson City Sheriff's Protective Association, 901 E. Musser St., Carson City NV 89701