Video of toddler asleep in tub lands mom's boyfriend in jail

A Gardnerville man was arrested Monday after he allegedly recorded his girlfriend's 21-month-old daughter asleep and floating in a bathtub of water.

Vincent A. McClure, 23, was booked into the Carson City Jail on suspicion of gross misdemeanor child neglect. While his possessions were being inventoried, jail personnel allegedly found three prescription pills. He was additionally booked on felony possession of a dangerous drug without a prescription.

According to the arrest report, deputies received a copy of the video that shows the girl lying on her back asleep in the bath tub with the back of her head submerged in water.

When police questioned McClure, he allegedly admitted to recording the incident, the arrest report states.

Detective Dena Lacy said McClure stated the child's mother put her in the bathtub, then left to go to the video store. After McClure finished eating his meal, Lacy said, he went in to check on the toddler and the child was asleep.

He recorded the incident because he thought it was "cute," Lacy said.

She said McClure said he left the child in the tub until the mother returned home.

Additionally, the little girl had burns on her face, said Lacy. When Child Protective Services asked about the burns, the child's mother allegedly stated that her sister would shock the baby's tongue with a nine-volt battery. The mother allegedly explained that later the child saw a nine-volt battery charging and put it into her mouth where it exploded causing burns.

The aunt allegedly told Lacy the baby "liked" being shocked by the battery. When a CPS agent commented that shocking the baby's tongue was "disturbing," the aunt allegedly said, "that was a long time ago," said Lacy.

Earlier in the week, said Lacy, a 1-year-old boy was removed from the same home.

Lacy said charges against the mother have been submitted to the district attorney's office for review.

Charges will also likely be submitted against the child's aunt in relation to the nine-volt battery incident.

McClure's bail was set at $5,000.

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