Three individuals were arrested in Texas after allegedly forcing a six-year-old boy into a dryer at a laundromat and turning it on for a minute. The incident took place late Monday night at the Hi Tek Washateria in Houston, according to the Harris County Constable Precinct 4. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found the boy unharmed but visibly upset and crying.
One of the suspects attempted to escape, leading to a pursuit. During the chase, a woman, later identified as 19-year-old Life Ford, interfered with the deputies. The suspect who tried to flee, 20-year-old Jaqory Gill, was eventually caught. The third suspect, 18-year-old Haven Duncan, was discovered to be in possession of a stolen firearm.
Investigators reviewed video footage from the laundromat, which allegedly showed Duncan forcing the boy into the dryer against his will. Despite the boy’s attempts to resist, he was put in the dryer. Ford is accused of having closed the dryer door, with Duncan holding it shut. Gill is alleged to have used a credit card to pay for the dryer cycle and turning on the machine. The boy was reportedly left in the dryer for a minute.
After the incident, Duncan removed the boy from the dryer and placed him in a laundry cart. Gill and Ford are accused of having swung the cart around aggressively. A witness who reported the incident to the police later told detectives that the incident was a punishment for the boy crying over a lost bag of chips.
All three suspects are facing charges of child endangerment. Gill has an additional charge of evading arrest, and Ford is charged with interfering with the duties of a public servant. All three were taken to the Harris County Jail, with only Duncan remaining in custody as of Wednesday afternoon.
The boy was picked up by a guardian and returned home. Child Protective Services has been notified of the incident.