Haven Duncan (left); Life Ford; and Jaqory Gill. Photo: Mark Herman/Harris County Constable Precinct 4/Facebook
Houston, Texas, Nov. 15, 2024 — Authorities in Texas have arrested three adults accused of locking a 6-year-old boy inside a dryer at a laundromat, turning it on, and leaving him inside for a minute as a form of punishment.
The incident, which occurred on the evening of Nov. 11 at the Hi Tek Washateria on Kuykendahl Road near the North Freeway, has left the community in shock.
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The suspects, identified as Haven Duncan, 18, Jaqory Gill, 20, and Life Ford, 19, are charged with child endangerment, among other offenses.
The Harris County Constable Precinct 4 released details of the disturbing case, which was captured on the laundromat’s surveillance cameras.
Incident Details
Deputies responded to the laundromat around 11 p.m. Monday after receiving reports of a child locked in a dryer.
Upon arrival, authorities found the 6-year-old boy visibly shaking and crying.
EMS evaluated the child, who did not sustain serious injuries, and released him into the care of a guardian.
According to investigators, the ordeal began when the child became upset over losing a bag of chips.
Duncan allegedly placed the boy in the dryer as punishment.
Surveillance footage reviewed by police shows the boy resisting by using his feet to fight against being forced inside.
Duncan then forcibly repositioned him to ensure he stayed in the dryer.
As per the affidavit, Ford allegedly closed the dryer door while Duncan held it shut.
Gill reportedly used a credit or debit card to activate the machine and turned it on for approximately one minute.
Afterward, Duncan removed the child and placed him in a laundry cart, swinging him around aggressively with the help of Ford and Gill.
Bystanders and Police Intervention
Witnesses at the laundromat called authorities to report the abuse.
One bystander told detectives that the suspects seemed to be punishing the boy for crying over the lost chips.
The affidavit states the entire incident lasted about five minutes before police arrived.
When deputies attempted to arrest Gill at the scene, he allegedly fled on foot.
Ford reportedly obstructed the officers by stepping in their way and pushing a deputy’s arm.
Gill was later contacted via FaceTime on the victim’s mother’s phone and agreed to surrender to authorities.
The victim’s mother arrived at the laundromat during the investigation and reportedly scolded the child for “being a baby while they were playing,” according to the affidavit.
It remains unclear what the mother meant, but authorities subsequently separated her from the boy.
She has not been charged in connection with the case.
Charges and Court Proceedings
All three suspects face charges of child endangerment.
Gill is additionally charged with evading arrest on foot, while Ford faces a count of interfering with the duties of a public servant.
Online court records show Duncan is being held on a $75,000 bond, while Gill and Ford were released on $100 bonds each.
Court documents do not list plea or attorney information for Gill and Ford.
Duncan’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
During the arrest, police reportedly found a stolen gun in Duncan’s possession.
However, no additional charges have been filed in relation to the firearm as of Wednesday.
Community Outrage and Investigation
The relationship between the suspects, the child, and the boy’s mother remains unclear.
Authorities have informed Child Protective Services of the incident, and the case is under further investigation.
Constable Mark Herman described the incident as “deeply disturbing” in a statement.
“This is an unacceptable level of abuse and negligence. We are thankful for the bystanders who intervened and alerted law enforcement,” Herman said.
The laundromat’s surveillance footage has been critical in piecing together the events leading up to the arrests.
The affidavit cites the video as evidence that the suspects acted in concert to deliberately harm the child.
Child Abuse Hotline and Resources
In light of the case, authorities are urging anyone who suspects child abuse to report it.
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is available at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or www.childhelp.org.
The hotline offers free and confidential support 24/7 in over 170 languages.
This case has raised serious concerns about the treatment of children and the responsibilities of caregivers.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of the child involved.
