There's no way to know what the parents were thinking. Maybe they were trying to scare their kid into good behavior. Maybe they were just goofing around. Maybe they thought it would be funny -- there's a large sign hanging above the machines, saying "Junior Wash: $2.95." Whatever it was, it could have easily ended in tragedy.
In the silent footage from the laundromat's security camera, the dad scoops up the diaper-clad toddler, shoves him head first into the front-loading washer, and shuts the door. He and the mom seem amused at first, but panic quickly sets in when they realize that they can't get the washer door open. It's locked automatically, and the tot is trapped inside as the washer starts to run. (Warning: The video is disturbing).
The toddler tumbles helplessly, trapped in the machine, water pouring in, while the parents struggle with the locked door and then search for help. Finally, an attendant runs over and disables the machine. It takes a few more seconds to get the door open and the child out.
There have been several recent reports about kids dying after getting trapped in a washing machine -- in March, 18-month-old Ollie Hebb drowned in a washing machine accident, and a 3-year-old was killed in France after his father put him in one and turned it on to punish him. The child in this video suffered a few bumps and bruises and is fine, according to the person who posted the clip -- at least, as fine as one can be living with parents who think it's funny to stick kids in washing machines. No word on whether the parents will be investigated for, well, anything.
I saw this video on the news last night. I can't imagine. They made it sound like the parents were joking around, but damn...WTF are people thinking? Just, W.T.F? It's just cringeworthy and goes back to that old cliche about how you need a license to drive, hunt, or fish but any two morons can have a child.
Fortunately in this case, the parents' stupidity didn't cause serious physical harm to that poor little boy.
I'd imagine those parents will be getting a visit from CPS. I'd HOPE so anyway. At least if anything, just to give them a serious talking to.
Post by earlgreyhot on May 21, 2012 18:43:29 GMT -5
I'm sure I can't handle the video so I'm not going to watch. But I guess he assumed the machine was like traditional top loaders where you can open and add during the cycle and thought it would be funny. Some dads like to push what it acceptable sometimes. Lesson learned, I hope.
Post by GailGoldie on May 21, 2012 18:50:05 GMT -5
so horrible and scary - i won't be watching the video.
i would guess the parents were wasted or just really stupid (or both)... a joke or a punishment, it is just so insane. CPS better be there - I can't imagine a situation where they would NOT investigate.
It was incredibly stupid, but I imagine that it was just being silly that went terribly awry. Both parents were freaking the fuck out appropriately after they realized it was going.
This. That was a totally asinine thing to do, but I can't imagine the terror they must have felt when realzing they couldn't get the door open and the washer was filling with water. And I can't imagine how terrifying that was for the poor kid.
I'm also shocked that the door of the machine didn't open. I wonder if it was a malfunction, or if their washers lock until the cycle is done. That would be a really dumb feature, for both safety reasons as well as practical reasons.
It was incredibly stupid, but I imagine that it was just being silly that went terribly awry. Both parents were freaking the fuck out appropriately after they realized it was going.
This. That was a totally asinine thing to do, but I can't imagine the terror they must have felt when realzing they couldn't get the door open and the washer was filling with water. And I can't imagine how terrifying that was for the poor kid.
I'm also shocked that the door of the machine didn't open. I wonder if it was a malfunction, or if their washers lock until the cycle is done. That would be a really dumb feature, for both safety reasons as well as practical reasons.
If you were to open a front-loader mid-cycle, the water would come pouring out. I don't know how home models work, but I would imagine there is at least a delay to open until the water drains, right?
It was incredibly stupid, but I imagine that it was just being silly that went terribly awry. Both parents were freaking the fuck out appropriately after they realized it was going.
That makes me wonder what else they've done that they call "just kidding"
This. That was a totally asinine thing to do, but I can't imagine the terror they must have felt when realzing they couldn't get the door open and the washer was filling with water. And I can't imagine how terrifying that was for the poor kid.
I'm also shocked that the door of the machine didn't open. I wonder if it was a malfunction, or if their washers lock until the cycle is done. That would be a really dumb feature, for both safety reasons as well as practical reasons.
If you were to open a front-loader mid-cycle, the water would come pouring out. I don't know how home models work, but I would imagine there is at least a delay to open until the water drains, right?
In mine, you can pause it during the first minute or so, when it's figuring out how much water to use and filling initially. Yeah, it's locked after that, though.
Looks like a joke gone horribly bad to me. They were freaking out really fast. Stupid thing to do anyway, but I don't think they meant to hurt the child in any way.
This. That was a totally asinine thing to do, but I can't imagine the terror they must have felt when realzing they couldn't get the door open and the washer was filling with water. And I can't imagine how terrifying that was for the poor kid.
I'm also shocked that the door of the machine didn't open. I wonder if it was a malfunction, or if their washers lock until the cycle is done. That would be a really dumb feature, for both safety reasons as well as practical reasons.
If you were to open a front-loader mid-cycle, the water would come pouring out. I don't know how home models work, but I would imagine there is at least a delay to open until the water drains, right?
Yeah, mine locks immediately. You can hit a button to stop the cycle, but it's still two minutes before it unlocks.
Post by jessiespano on May 21, 2012 21:03:23 GMT -5
This is just awful. I lost my first cat in a freak dryer accident. My mom was in a hurry and didn't see her in the dryer. I was six and this still haunts me. I'm constantly double checking to make sure one of the monsters isn't in there.
Running late for work, so no time to watch the video but I'm confused. How could they mean no harm, or be surprised that the washer started filling with water?
This was a laundromat, right? THEY MUST HAVE PUT QUARTERS INTO THE MACHINE!
It was incredibly stupid, but I imagine that it was just being silly that went terribly awry. Both parents were freaking the fuck out appropriately after they realized it was going.
This. That was a totally asinine thing to do, but I can't imagine the terror they must have felt when realzing they couldn't get the door open and the washer was filling with water. And I can't imagine how terrifying that was for the poor kid.
I'm also shocked that the door of the machine didn't open. I wonder if it was a malfunction, or if their washers lock until the cycle is done. That would be a really dumb feature, for both safety reasons as well as practical reasons.
Wouldn't it be for safety reasons that it *does* lock? So kids can't open the door or get into the machines after they've been started?
Oh god, that poor kid. The parents are obviously dumbfucks. But child abusing CPS bait? errrr....really? that would be if they stood there and said, "see! that's what you get!" as the washer fills up. Not that they both start freaking the hell out when they realize that the washer is starting. It was obviously a really really really stupid mistake.
Oh god, that poor kid. The parents are obviously dumbfucks. But child abusing CPS bait? errrr....really? that would be if they stood there and said, "see! that's what you get!" as the washer fills up. Not that they both start freaking the hell out when they realize that the washer is starting. It was obviously a really really really stupid mistake.
Running late for work, so no time to watch the video but I'm confused. How could they mean no harm, or be surprised that the washer started filling with water?
This was a laundromat, right? THEY MUST HAVE PUT QUARTERS INTO THE MACHINE!
WTF did they think would happen next??
Exactly. Call me cynical, but this is why I'm having a hard time believing the "didn't mean anything" stance.
Oh god, that poor kid. The parents are obviously dumbfucks. But child abusing CPS bait? errrr....really? that would be if they stood there and said, "see! that's what you get!" as the washer fills up. Not that they both start freaking the hell out when they realize that the washer is starting. It was obviously a really really really stupid mistake.
i wouldn't call putting your child in a washing machine that was getting ready to start a mistake. mistakes are accidents you don't intend to happen. these people actually chose to put their child into a washing machine even if they didn't want him to become injured or die. that type of extremely poor judgment is exactly what cps should be investigating.
Running late for work, so no time to watch the video but I'm confused. How could they mean no harm, or be surprised that the washer started filling with water?
This was a laundromat, right? THEY MUST HAVE PUT QUARTERS INTO THE MACHINE!
WTF did they think would happen next??
Exactly. Call me cynical, but this is why I'm having a hard time believing the "didn't mean anything" stance.
Maybe the dad didn't realize the mom had put the money in. Maybe he thought you had to press a button first. Maybe he thought he hadn't latched the door shut all the way. Maybe he'd never been to the laundromat before and didn't realize the doors locked.
You really think "they are awful people who wanted to drown their toddler in a washing machine" is more likely then "they are really really dumb?"
come on. The number of people who would cold bloodedly put their kid in a washer and turn it on is a hell of a lot smaller than the number of people who would just do this to be funny and not realize the machine was going to turn on. And if they did it on purpose - why did they freak out when the washer turned on and the door wouldn't open?
But if it makes you feel better to think of them as monsters rather than idiots, have at. You gotta do what you gotta do to shake an image like that.
Post by somersault72 on May 22, 2012 8:41:03 GMT -5
I usually let my curiosity get the best of me on these boards, but I could not click the link to that video :::shudder::: I can't think of a single excuse as to justify this behavior.
Exactly. Call me cynical, but this is why I'm having a hard time believing the "didn't mean anything" stance.
Maybe the dad didn't realize the mom had put the money in. Maybe he thought you had to press a button first. Maybe he thought he hadn't latched the door shut all the way. Maybe he'd never been to the laundromat before and didn't realize the doors locked.
You really think "they are awful people who wanted to drown their toddler in a washing machine" is more likely then "they are really really dumb?"
come on. The number of people who would cold bloodedly put their kid in a washer and turn it on is a hell of a lot smaller than the number of people who would just do this to be funny and not realize the machine was going to turn on. And if they did it on purpose - why did they freak out when the washer turned on and the door wouldn't open?
But if it makes you feel better to think of them as monsters rather than idiots, have at. You gotta do what you gotta do to shake an image like that.
No, I don't think that they are awful people who wanted to drown their toddler in a washing machine is more likely then they are really really dumb. I think that they are really really cruel is more likely than they are really really dumb. A lot more likely, in fact.
And yeah, it's cruel as shit to put a small child in a washing machine. I don't care that they didn't know the door would lock or the machine would automatically start. Even if that never happened, it's still a cruel, shitty thing to do to a little kid.
I dared my sister to get into the fridge when I was 6 and she was 3 (she claims I forced her to get in). However in the past 23 years I've learned not to put children in appliances. I didn't realize this was a lesson not everyone learns.
Maybe the dad didn't realize the mom had put the money in. Maybe he thought you had to press a button first. Maybe he thought he hadn't latched the door shut all the way. Maybe he'd never been to the laundromat before and didn't realize the doors locked.
You really think "they are awful people who wanted to drown their toddler in a washing machine" is more likely then "they are really really dumb?"
come on. The number of people who would cold bloodedly put their kid in a washer and turn it on is a hell of a lot smaller than the number of people who would just do this to be funny and not realize the machine was going to turn on. And if they did it on purpose - why did they freak out when the washer turned on and the door wouldn't open?
But if it makes you feel better to think of them as monsters rather than idiots, have at. You gotta do what you gotta do to shake an image like that.
No, I don't think that they are awful people who wanted to drown their toddler in a washing machine is more likely then they are really really dumb. I think that they are really really cruel is more likely than they are really really dumb. A lot more likely, in fact.
And yeah, it's cruel as shit to put a small child in a washing machine. I don't care that they didn't know the door would lock or the machine would automatically start. Even if that never happened, it's still a cruel, shitty thing to do to a little kid.
Like I said, if it makes you feel better to decide these people are monsters rather than blazing idiots, feel free.
I remember reading the Ollie Hebb story (I think that was the one), mom had him with her while she was doing laundry, she walked away for a few seconds, came back, and he was gone. She looked all over the house, then it dawned on her, she reached in the washer and pulled him out but it was too late. Heartbreaking.
These parents are assholes. I don't buy the "they were just having fun and didn't realize" bit. Doing something like that can teach a small kid to crawl into the washer or dryer for fun which is obviously dangerous.
No, I don't think that they are awful people who wanted to drown their toddler in a washing machine is more likely then they are really really dumb. I think that they are really really cruel is more likely than they are really really dumb. A lot more likely, in fact.
And yeah, it's cruel as shit to put a small child in a washing machine. I don't care that they didn't know the door would lock or the machine would automatically start. Even if that never happened, it's still a cruel, shitty thing to do to a little kid.
Like I said, if it makes you feel better to decide these people are monsters rather than blazing idiots, feel free.
I suspect it makes YOU feel better to insist it was just all in good fun.
Anyone who thinks it's in anyway appropriate to put a kid at all in a washer and close the door needs at least parenting classes. I hope CPS gets involved for no other reason then for them to recieve those. Their idea of funny endangered their child and they could use some lessons on how some other thing they think is funny could do serious emotional or physical damage.
And whether or not it was "fun" or "dumb", parenting classes seem to be in need. Matter of fact, especially if it was just their being dense.