Trio Accused of Locking 6-Year-Old In Dryer and Starting It in Houston Laundromat

Reportedly the boy was punished for being upset after losing a bag of chips.

Three young adults have been detained for child endangerment after locking a 6-year-old in a dryer and starting the machine.

Texas authorities arrested Duncan Haven, Jaqory Gill, and Life Ford for their alleged involvement on Nov. 11. According to the Harris County Constable 4 precinct, the trio locked the young boy into the dryer at a Houston laundromat.

When police arrived at the scene, they found the child “visibly shaking and crying.”

Gill, 20, tried to evade arrest, according to police with Ford allegedly blocking an officer from getting to Gill. Gill was later contacted through FaceTime on the victim’s mother’s phone and agreed to turn himself in.

The other suspect, 18-year-old Haven Duncan, had a firearm in his possession. Police detained him at the scene.

Police say the child was “punished” for getting upset after losing a bag of chips. Duncan put the boy into the machine, blocking him from escaping as Ford closed the door. According to an affidavit obtained by People, Duncan “repositioned” the boy, who had originally used his feet in an attempt to free himself. Gill then used his own debit or credit card to turn the machine on.

According to the affidavit, the boy was left in the machine for one minute before he was released. However, they proceeded to then aggressively spin him around in a cart. Bystanders and onlookers called the authorities after noticing the boy locked in the dryer.

When the boy’s mother arrived, she allegedly yelled at the child for “being a baby.” While authorities separated the mother from the boy, she has not faced any charges.

It remains unclear of the trio’s relationship with the young boy. While Gill and Ford were released on $100 bonds, Haven was detained on a $75,000 bond.