Caregivers locked 6-year-old in clothes dryer and turned it on, authorities say

HOUSTON (TMX) – Three Texas men have been charged after they allegedly locked a 6-year-old child in a dryer and started the car, authorities said.

Harris County, District 4 Constable said deputies responded to Hi Tek Washateria in the 13000 block of Kuykendall Road in Houston on Nov. 11 after a report of the child is locked inside clothes dryer.

Deputies arrived to find the child “visibly shaking and crying.”

Deputies attempted to detain the suspects, two men and a woman, when one fled on foot. When deputies tried to give chase, the woman allegedly pushed the deputy to block him.

Eventually, three suspects were detained. The man who got away has been identified as 20-year-old Jacory Gill. The woman was identified as 19-year-old Life Ford. Another man in the laundromat, identified as 18-year-old Haven Duncan, allegedly had a loaded firearm.

During the investigation, deputies found out that the child was under the care of all three adults when she became agitated after losing a bag of chips. As punishment, Duncan allegedly placed the child in a clothes dryer because the boy resisted using his legs and locked the door, according to the affidavit.

Ford allegedly turned off the car to prevent the child from running away, while Gill allegedly started the car.

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

Passersby called the police and an ambulance. The child’s mother, who was not among the three guards at the laundry, has not been charged in connection with the incident.

All three suspects were booked into the Harris County Jail.

Duncan was charged with child endangerment and bail was set at $10,000. Gill was charged with evading on foot and bail was set at $100. Ford was charged with interference with public official duties, and her bond was set at $100.

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