Carson City
A Carson City woman has been charged with two felony abuse charges related to the death of her sister who she was caring for.
Patricia VonDracek, 50, was charged Friday afternoon with felony domestic battery causing substantial bodily harm, and felony abuse of a vulnerable person.
VonDracek was arrested May 21 on a previous abuse charge against her sister, Sandra VonDracek, stemming from an event on April 24. On the day of the arrest, the arresting officer learned that the suspect's sister had been returned to the care of the suspect and had died on May 15.
An autopsy was ordered, and found the deceased had several broken ribs and other injuries, but the cause of death could not be determined, pending further tests.
An interview with the suspect's son revealed she had continued to abuse her sister. Patricia VonDracek then waived her Miranda rights and admitted that she had stepped on her sister's stomach and punched her in the arms. She also said she suspected that her sister had suffered a stroke but did not take her to a hospital.
Bail was set at $50,000, with further charges possible pending final autopsy results.
The following people were booked into the Carson City Jail. All suspects are innocent until proved guilty in court:
- Santana Estrada-LLamas, 39, of Carson City, was arrested Friday at 4:06 p.m. in the 1600 block of Forest Drive for felony sale of a schedule 1 controlled substance. An employee of a towing service called dispatch to report that the subject, who had a felony arrest warrant, was attempting to retrieve a vehicle. Officers arrived and took him into custody. Bail was set at $20,000.
- Brian Glen Hofius-Ward, 23, was arrested Friday at 7:06 p.m. for felony probation violation. The subject had arrived at the Carson City Jail to complete a pre-arranged jail sentence. A records check revealed he had an outstanding warrant for probation violation. He was held without bail.
- Christina Vanegas, 37, of Carson City, was arrested Friday at 9:16 p.m. at the intersection of Carmine Street and Sneddon Way for felony probation violation. Witnesses reported that two vehicles were involved in a chase, and that one of them almost ran over an eight-year-old child. That vehicle driven by Vanegas was later found and stopped, and witnesses from the scene identified it as the vehicle that had almost hit the child. Vanegas was held without bail.
- A 24-year-old salesman from Circleville, Ohio was arrested Saturday at 12:54 p.m. in the 1300 block of Ladera for misdemeanor soliciting without a permit, engaging in deceptive trading and obstructing a police officer. Bail was set at $1,671.
- A transient, no age or address given, was arrested Friday at 5:06 p.m. in the 2000 block of Highway 50 East for misdemeanor violation of suspended sentence. Bail was set at $1,000.
- A 22-year-old unemployed man from Carson City was arrested for misdemeanor driving on a revoked license and running a stop sign. His bail was set at $1,214. His passenger, a 44-year-old laborer from Carson City, was found to have an outstanding contempt of court warrant. He was arrested for misdemeanor obstruction and the warrant. His bail was set at $907.
- A 19-year-old Carson City man was arrested Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Roop and Oregon streets for misdemeanor driving without a license insurance, and obstruction. Bail was set at $1,326.