6-year-old locked inside laundromat dryer as punishment is found crying, Texas cops say

A 6-year-old boy was locked inside a laundromat’s dryer as punishment by three adults, Texas authorities say.

The three people, who Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said were caring for the child, were arrested following the Monday, Nov. 11, incident in Houston, according to a news release.

Constables who were called to Hi Tek Washateria by bystanders found the 6-year-old “visibly shaking and crying,” authorities said.

An investigation revealed Duncan Haven locked the boy in the dryer when the child “became upset after losing a bag of chips,” the constable said.

Two other adults with Haven prevented the boy from exiting the dryer until the chips were located, according to the constable.

“The dryer ran for approximately a minute before the child was taken out,” a judge said during Haven’s court hearing Nov. 12, KHOU reported.

The constable said the boy was evaluated by first responders and released to a guardian.

Deputies tried detaining the three adults, but one evaded custody, according to the constable. Authorities said one woman was arrested after she pushed one of the deputies.

The other two, including Haven, were eventually detained, the constable said. The relationships between the boy and the adults is unclear.

Haven was charged with child endangerment and jailed on a $10,000 bond, officials said. The man accused of fleeing from deputies was charged with evading on foot, and the woman faces an interfering with the duties of a public servant charge.