Mairenel Hadley (left) and David Helmick.
LCSO
Three children were placed in protective custody Tuesday after Lyon County Sheriff’s deputies arrested their parents in Yerington on child endangerment charges, according to a news release from the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office.
The circumstances are similar to a case from Monday when three adults were arrested in Yerington on drug and child endangerment charges.
In Tuesday’s case, LCSO said it received information about a family residing in a recreational vehicle without proper hookups and utilities at the 300 block of Second Avenue in Yerington.
Information gathered by detectives indicated a family, with several children, was living on the property, the news release said. The tips indicated the husband and wife were hiding as they were both wanted by law enforcement.
Additional information gathered indicated there was possible drug activity occurring at the residence, so sheriff’s office Special Investigation Unit detectives obtained a search warrant for the property, the release said.
Detectives contacted 42-year-old David Helmick and 31-year-old Mairenel Hadley, who were found living in a recreational vehicle on the property along with three of their children ages 13, 7, and 18 months. Detectives found the RV was on property of a residence that burned down and was not habitable.
“The property was littered with all sorts of junk vehicles, car parts, and trash,” the release said. “The recreational vehicle had limited food and water as well. Detectives found that the residents had illegally tapped into city water and sewer lines. Limited power was provided through the use of a gasoline generator.”
When deputies arrived, Hadley exited the RV with the children; Helmick was found hiding inside the trailer by a sheriff’s patrol canine. He was arrested and booked into the Lyon County jail, as well as his fiancé.
Helmick was charged with felony child abuse, living in a recreational vehicle without a permit, obstructing a peace officer and misdemeanor warrant arrest. Bail was set at $76,780.
Hadley was charged with child endangerment, obstructing a peace officer, misdemeanor warrant arrest and living in a recreational vehicle without a permit. Bail was set at $4,280.
“The three children were found to be in need of proper care and evaluated by the Mason Valley Fire Protection District, then released to the sheriff’s office,” the release said. “The Nevada Division of Child and Family Services arrived on scene and later placed the children into protective custody.”
Multiple junk vehicles were towed from the county right of way, LCSO said.
“The temperature at the time of the investigation was 102 degrees,” the release said. “This is another unfortunate case in which subjects were found to be living in a recreational vehicle, without proper permits and utility hookups that is not suitable for permanent family living. There was limited power supplied by a generator which occasionally controlled an air conditioner. The children were found to be dirty, hungry and in need of proper care."
The sheriff’s office release said Lyon County has programs to help residents.
“Assistance that ranges from beginning of life to end of life, including many programs and counseling services are available to the community,” the release said. “Drug and alcohol counseling, financial aid, food assistance programs and even housing assistance programs are available and offered through the county to those who qualify for that need.”
For information, contact Lyon County Human Services at 775-577-5009 or the county website, www.lyon-county.org/175/Human-Services.
