Caregivers locked the 6-year-old in a clothes dryer and turned it on, authorities said

HOUSTON (TMX) – Three Texas residents are facing charges after they allegedly locked a 6-year-old child in their care in a dryer and left the machine running, authorities said.

Harris County Constable Precinct 4 said deputies responded to the Hi Tek Washateria in the 13000 block of Kuykendahl Road in Houston on Nov. 11 after a report of a child locked inside a tumble dryer.

Officers found the child “visibly shaking and crying.”

Officers attempted to apprehend the suspects, two men and a woman, when one fled on foot. When officers attempted to give chase, the woman allegedly pushed a deputy to stop him.

Ultimately, three suspects were arrested. The man who fled was identified as 20-year-old Jaqory Gill. The woman was identified as 19-year-old Life Ford. The other man at the laundromat, identified as 18-year-old Haven Duncan, was reportedly in possession of a loaded firearm.

After investigating, officers learned the child was in the care of all three adults when he became upset after losing a bag of chips. As punishment, Duncan allegedly placed the child in the clothes dryer while the boy resisted using his feet and locked the door, according to an arrest affidavit.

Ford allegedly turned off the machine so the child couldn’t escape, while Gill started the machine.

According to the affidavit, the child was inside for about a minute before Duncan removed the child and placed him in a laundry cart.

Bystanders called the police and the ambulance service. The child’s mother, who was not among the laundromat’s three caregivers, was not charged in connection with the incident.

All three suspects were booked into the Harris County Jail.

Duncan was charged with child endangerment and his bond was set at $10,000. Gill was charged with eluding on foot and his bond was set at $100. Ford was charged with interference with the duties of a public servant and her bond was set at $100.

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