3 Caretakers Accused of Locking 6-Year-Old in Dryer and Running It

Mar. 15, 2025

Haven Duncan (left); Life Ford; and Jaqory Gill.Photo:Mark Herman/Harris County Constable Precinct 4/Facebook

Mark Herman/Harris County Constable Precinct 4/Facebook

Warning: This story contains disturbing accounts of alleged child abuse.

Duncan Haven, Jaqory Gill and Life Ford were arrested in connection with the alleged incident on Monday, Nov. 11, theHarris County Constable Precinct 4said in a statement.

The investigation began after police responded to a report of a 6-year-old locked inside a dryer at a laundromat in Houston. When they got there, the victim was “visibly shaking and crying,” Constable Mark Herman said in the statement.

Duncan then allegedly placed the child inside a dryer as “punishment” and locked him inside, per Herman’s statement.

During the struggle, police allege Ford shut the machine and let Duncan hold the door closed, when Gill used a credit or debit card and started the machine.

The affidavit states the boy was left inside for approximately a minute before Duncan allegedly brought him out and put him in a cart and aggressively swung him around. However, Herman’s statement alleged the child was inside the dryer for about five minutes.

Bystanders then called police and EMS, who evaluated the child before releasing him in the care of his guardian.

When police tried to arrest Gill, Ford allegedly “pushed the arm of the deputy” so he could flee, and he fled on foot, the affidavit claims. Gill was later contacted through FaceTime on the victim’s mother’s phone and agreed to turn himself in.

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The relationship between the three suspects, or each of their respective relationships with the child or the child’s mother, was not clear.

Haven has been charged with child endangerment and is being held on a $75,000 bond, Harris County online court records show.

Gill was charged with endangering a child and evading arrest. Ford, who was initially charged with Interfering with the Duties of a Public Servant, was later charged with endangering a child as well, per online court records.

Both Gill and Ford were released on their respective $100 bonds.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

source: people.com