Teen charged in death of his 5-year-old sister in washer

Court TV via Yahoo!News ^ | July 8, 2005 | Mallory Simon, Court TV

[Kaslin]

I did a search and have not seen this posted yet

[Jet Jaguar]

Just damn.

[6SJ7]

Rebecca "Hope" Wagoner, her brother and mother Rebecca Billings Wagoner were the only ones inside the Village Laundry that night, Sheffield said. Hope's mother left to make a phone call outside, leaving the two children inside alone.

When the mother returned, she found her 30-pound daughter spinning inside the machine filled with water.

... Under normal operation, the Automatic Washer-Extractor spins 451 revolutions at high speed and requires 11 quarters to run.

The brother just happens to have the required 11 quarters and is able to force a 5 year old into the washer without anyone noticing. Something does not add up in this case.

[johnny7]

Something does not add up in this case.

It stinks to high-heaven. This has whitewashing & PC censorship all over it.

A fourteen yearold with $3.25 burning a hole in his pocket decides 'washing' his step-sister is a logical decision?! God almighty.

[Humidston]

Evil is getting younger and younger these days...

[LaineyDee]

The brother just happens to have the required 11 quarters and is able to force a 5 year old into the washer without anyone noticing. Something does not add up in this case.

I think that's why they fingerprinted the change machine and reviewed the video surv tapes..... and why he's in a juvenile detention center. :)

[Maceman]

The brother just happens to have the required 11 quarters and is able to force a 5 year old into the washer without anyone noticing. Something does not add up in this case.

The brother could have put a five dollar bill in the change machine, and gotten all the quarters he needed very quickly.

As for getting the girl in the machine, I seriously doubt force was required. All you have to do it make it a "go for a ride" game. It's not that hard to manipulate a five-year-old who trusts you, especially if you're promising fun.

[WorkingClassFilth]

BINGO! The kid in the washing maching having a great old time is a stock comedic situation. Any kid at fourteen has seen the gag a dozen time already. A five year old is always game for fun. What they didn't count on is the door locking on them...

[DouglasKC]

As for getting the girl in the machine, I seriously doubt force was required. All you have to do it make it a "go for a ride" game. It's not that hard to manipulate a five-year-old who trusts you, especially if you're promising fun.

In addition the boy was probably just stupid, not malicious. I talked by little brother into doing some pretty stupid things. One time I convinced him to tie a rope to himself and that I would lower him out of our second floor bedroom windows. Naturally I couldn't hold his full weight and he virtually fell to the ground. Luckily he wasn't hurt.

The boy probably thought he could open up the door at any time.

[RoyalsFan]

A fourteen yearold with $3.25 burning a hole in his pocket

Wouldn't it be $2.75?

[nuconvert]

I think he could get her in the machine without much trouble, (tell her it would be fun like a ride at the amusement park , who knows) it's the 11 quarters that I don't get. Unless the mother just had all her change in a jar or something and left it while she went outside.
It's tragic. I hope they had evidence of neglect before they removed the rest of her children from the home.

[HEY4QDEMS]

Police were also considering charges of neglect against Billings Wagoner, but none have been filed.

I am torn by this, my daughter has been babysitting since she was 14 so I find it is reasonable to trust a 14 year old with watching a five year old for a few minutes.

The kid was probably just goofing around and didn't know that the machine was designed to perform in such a way that the door would be locked for the duration of the wash cycle.

It's a sorry situation all around.

[johnny7]

I'm an artist.

[Kaslin]

According to the original report someone had tried to use the mashine before but it did not work, so the person moved on to the next mashine

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

I'm sure that the in-store video cameras have provided the police with more than enough information to put the whole sad sequence of events together.

[DTogo]

Under Virginia law, prosecutors could opt to charge the 14-year-old as an adult, but no information has been released about whether they will do so. The teen could face 10 years in jail if tried and convicted as an adult.

DO IT!!

[Kaslin]

I think he could get her in the machine without much trouble, (tell her it would be fun like a ride at the amusement park , who knows) it's the 11 quarters that I don't get. Unless the mother just had all her change in a jar or something and left it while she went outside. It's tragic. I hope they had evidence of neglect before they removed the rest of her children from the home.

It doesn't mean he put her in the machine. What happend I think was they both played in the laundromat. The girl climbed into the washer and the 14 year old locked the door without thinking of the concequenses

[Kaslin]

That is what I think

[nuconvert]

"It doesn't mean he put her in the machine"

No, if he convinced her it would fun, she would climb in on her own. The door doesn't lock until money is put in and the wash cycle begins.

I don't think he should be charged with manslaughter. Unless he's abused his other siblings and they have reason to believe he intentionally meant to hurt her.