Cheyney arrested for child abuse of Venango one-year-old

Trey Cheyney, 20, of Ogallala, has been charged with committing child abuse and first-degree assault, both class 2 felonies, after a Venango 15-month-old boy in his care suffered critical injuries. 

According to the affidavit, on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 8, Venango Volunteer Fire Department responded to Cheyney’s call that the child had fallen out of his high chair and hit his head on the floor. The mother of the child, Cheyney’s girlfriend, was notified by Cheyney of the accident and arrived home from work as EMS arrived. 

The affidavit reported EMS arriving to Cheyney standing with the child limp in his arms. 

The child was transported to Perkins County Health Services in Grant and the Perkins County Sheriff’s Office was contacted due to the nature of the injury.

Upon arrival to the hospital, the investigating officer allegedly found the child unresponsive and being tended to by medical personnel. The attending doctor ordered a CT scan to gauge the injuries. 

After the doctor received the CT scan results, a flight crew transported the child and his mother to Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, where he underwent several hours of surgery and other treatments. 

Upon investigating the home where the incident occurred, the officer found the high chair stood about 20 inches from the floor, with the tray about 27 inches. The chair stood on carpet which the officer confirmed had several millimeters of rubber attached to the backside.  

A warrant was issued for Cheyney’s arrest on Sept. 17 and he was arrested on Sept. 20 at the Perkins County Courthouse after questioning. 

He is lodged in Keith County Jail with bond set at 10 percent of $500,000. Arraignment is set for Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. in Perkins County Court.