Fallon stabbing suspect appears in Justice Court

A 21-year-old Fallon woman accused of stabbing her stepfather appeared Thursday in Justice Court for her arraignment.

Jessica Leann Hitchcock has been charged with one count of battery with a deadly weapon causing substantial bodily harm after the alleged Monday incident.

Sitting before Justice of the Peace Mike Richards, Hitchcock started to sob toward the end of the hearing. She asked to be released on her own recognizance, but Churchill County Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills objected.

Mills said Hitchcock stabbed her father multiple times with a butcher knife, and the DA’s office is likely to file additional charges. Upon hearing that statement, Hitchcock started crying loudly and was denied a release.

She is being held in the county jail on $30,000 bond. She was appointed public defenders Troy Jordan and Dave Neidert and is scheduled for a status hearing on Thursday.

According to Mills, Hitchcock stabbed Ronald Austin, 51, with a blade approximately 7-8 inches long during a dispute at the Mobile Acres Mobile Home Park, 855 Harrigan Road. Mills said she is a threat to the community and caused “multiple grievous” injuries to Austin’s body.

Fallon Police responded to the call at 2:36 a.m. Austin was treated by paramedics from Banner Churchill Community Hospital and transported to the medical facility.

He was then transferred to Renown Medical Center in Reno where he was had surgery Monday. The FPD said his condition was listed as stable.