Man accused of beating daughter
By Leslie Wood- Staff Writer

GALLUP — A 27-year-old Gallup man was arrested on a felony child abuse charge on Wednesday night after Headstart employees discovered bruises on his 4-year-old daughter's back.

Gallup police booked Vernon Watson into the McKinley County Adult Detention Center on a $5,000 cash or surety bond. Watson's four children were then taken into state custody as a precaution.

Erin Toadlena-Pablo, a spokeswoman for the Gallup Police Department, said a Head Start employee noticed the bruises as the girl leaned over a table on Wednesday afternoon. Employees notified Children, Youth and Families Department case workers who subsequently informed police of the situation.

During an interview, the 4-year-old girl allegedly said her father struck her on the back and stomach with a belt buckle and a video tape. The incidents reportedly occurred as the girl slept, Toadlena-Pablo said. Scratches were also found on the girl's body.

Watson was arrested in connection with the alleged abuse after undergoing interviews at the Gallup Police Department. Toadlena-Pablo said she had no information about the girl's mother or her whereabouts. A preliminary hearing has yet to be scheduled in the matter.

In another case of child abuse, the preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday in connection with the death of an 18-month-old toddler was continued.

Cleo Juan, 32, remains jailed at the McKinley County Adult Detention Center on a $100,000 bond for her role in Colby Shirley's death earlier this month.

Toadlena-Pablo said she expects Shirley's autopsy results within the next week.