5 Year Old Dies in Washing Machine

**imported_Sportsman** · June 21st, 2005, 11:13 PM

Man, this one really hits home. Local news, right nearby in Chilhowie. Reportedly this five year old was left under a 14 year old brother's supervision, climbed in a washing machine, and they couldn't get it stopped. Here's the story from the BHC. Really hits home with me because I have a 15 year old son and a 5 year old daughter. Parents value your children and watch them like a hawk. It just takes a moment for your whole world to come crashing down.

Death Investigation
Bill Christian
News Channel 11
Jun 21, 5:07 PM EDT

Bill Christian
News Channel 11
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Rebecca Hope Wagoner died on Friday night after being trapped inside an industrial washer at a local Laundromat. Meanwhile the girl's death is something this small community is trying to understand.

It looks like an ordinary day in Chilhowie, Virginia. But it doesn't take long to see that the people here are grieving for the loss of a child.

"It's heartbreaking, it really hurts." Said Teresa Thomas, Parent.

Police officers and the emergency crew that tried to save Rebecca Wagoner's life are hurting right now. And they're not alone.

"I'm just taking it day by day and thanking the lord for my baby." Said Teresa Thomas, Parent.

Nothing like this has ever happened here before.

"There are a lot of questions we don't know about." Said Pastor Bobby Dunn, First Church of God.

Bobby Dunn is a Pastor at the First Church of God in Chilhowie. He says everyone affected by this tragedy must open up and talk about it.

"People try to deal with it on their own and they really need a friend, councilor or a pastor." Dunn Said.

With the investigation ongoing and possible charges on the way, this community is trying to find anyway they can to get past it. The funeral service for Rebecca Wagoner is Wednesday at 2pm.

**R0cketer** · June 21st, 2005, 11:22 PM

I heard a bit of that on the news when I got home earlier, that's horrible.

I haven't read the article (will right now)but from the way the news made it sound, there was some 'questions' about it? Have they cleared that up? (I may have my answers myself, but just in case)....

June 22nd, 2005, 07:36 AM

Anytime you hear of a death it is sad.
But a child. That just eats at the heart.

**R0cketer** · June 22nd, 2005, 08:57 AM

Its horrible. I hope that it's just a tragic accident. The article mentioned being investigated, I think thats what I heard on the news and the way they made it sound, it was like there was suspicion of wrongdoing. I hope to God that's not the case, but as sick as the world is anymore, I never put anything past happening.

**imported_elp6n** · June 22nd, 2005, 09:00 AM

I have to suspect wrong-doing in this situation.

With those types of washers someone has to latch the door closed from the outside, put in the money and push "start."

Once they're started, the door cannot be opened (so the girl couldn't have opened it and crawled inside once it had already been started).