Life Ford, 19, Haven Duncan, 18, and Jaqory Gill, 20, were arrested for punishing a 6-year-old by locking him in a clothes dryer for over five minutes.
Fox26 reports that the child became agitated after losing a bag of chips, which led to the incident at the Hi Tek Washateria on Kuykendahl Road in North Houston on November 11.
As punishment, Duncan allegedly locked the kid inside a dryer and shut the door. Gill and Ford refused to allow the child out until he found the missing chips, the police said.
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One of the suspects is seen on surveillance footage helping Duncan keep the door closed as the third puts money into the machine and lets it run for a minute, according to a magistrate, ABC13 reported.
Worried witnesses alerted the authorities and EMS after five minutes.
The child was crying and trembling when Harris County Constable Precinct 4 emergency personnel arrived.
Gill fled the location as deputies attempted to apprehend the suspects, and Ford pushed the deputy who was pursuing Gill to stop the pursuit, officials said.
They established a perimeter and located Gill. Duncan was detained on the spot and discovered to be in possession of a handgun.
After being examined by EMS, the child was given to a guardian who arrived at the laundry. Child Protective Services was notified.
Following their arrest, all three suspects were taken to the Harris County Jail.
Duncan was charged with child endangerment, and a $10,000 bond has been set.
However, Ford was charged with interfering with a public servant’s duties, and her bond was set at $100. Gill, on the other hand, was charged with escaping on foot, and his bond was set at $100.
Gill and Ford have each posted bond.
