Charge dismissed against man arrested in girl’s death

Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle said prosecutors did not present evidence needed at a preliminary hearing to send the case against Emanuel Dewayne Dodson to trial in District Court.

Dodson, who is in his late 20s, was charged with murder by child abuse in connection with the June 14, 2009, death of Jaylin Anyiah Washington.

In her decision, Oesterle said there were a number of questions in the case including whether Jaylin suffered her injuries from abuse or a fall on rocks and, if it was abuse, who did it.

Prosecutors admitted there were issues with the case, including when Jaylin suffered her injuries.

Defense attorney Kristina Wildeveld said key testimony came from Clark County Medical Examiner Lary Simms, who testified Jaylin suffered her injuries 36 to 48 hours before her death.

Jaylin was being watched by at least two other adults, as well as Dodson, during that time period, Wildeveld said.

Testimony during the three-day preliminary hearing indicated Jaylin displayed symptoms of injury, including not wanting to eat, days before her death.

Jaylin’s mother, Tiffany Green, testified she didn’t take her daughter to the hospital because she had no health insurance and couldn’t afford medical costs.

Wildeveld said the medical examiner testified the child could have survived if she had received medical attention.

Dodson was watching Jaylin the morning of her death. Around 8:30 a.m. the toddler complained of stomach pain. She was found passed out in a bedroom of a home in the 1700 block of East Karen Avenue, near Sahara Avenue and Maryland Parkway.

Green was at work and came home after receiving a call about Jaylin’s condition. Green called Las Vegas police when she found Jaylin unresponsive.

Dodson fled the scene before police arrived.

Jaylin’s sibling told authorities Dodson had whipped the toddler with a belt. Green testified that she never saw Dodson physically abuse her children.

During the preliminary hearing, the medical examiner testified the injuries could have happened from a fall, a punch, a kick, or a car accident, but not a belt, Wildeveld said.

The Clark County coroner’s office had ruled the death a homicide.

Dodson spent eight months in jail on the murder charges.

He has since moved to Los Angeles where he has a “legitimate” job and three children of his own, Wildeveld said. Dodson reportedly was dealing drugs from the home he lived in with Green and her children.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Vicki Monroe said the case will be reviewed. Prosecutors still could bring the case before a grand jury.