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Company Sued Over Washing Machine Death
The Washington Times ^ | 8-8-05 | AP

Posted on 08/05/2005 11:12:08 AM PDT by JZelle

MARION, Va. (AP) -- The mother of a 5-year-old girl who died in a coin-operated washer sued the machine's manufacturer, saying it started up with the child inside even though no money had been put into the machine.

Rebecca Hope Wagoner was asphyxiated June 17 after the 30-pound girl became trapped inside the triple-load washer. The washer, the suit contends, "started immediately without the insertion of any coins."

The washer requires 11 quarters to operate and will not accept coins until the heavy door is shut, officials have said. The door cannot be unlatched while the machine is operating.

Rebecca Billings Wagoner, Hope's mother, had to use a rock to smash the door and pull her daughter out.

(Excerpt) Read more at ap.washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: laundry; marionva; washingmachine
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1 posted on 08/05/2005 11:12:18 AM PDT by JZelle
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To: JZelle

And the mother is exempt from any responsibility here?


2 posted on 08/05/2005 11:16:00 AM PDT by My2Cents ("The essence of American journalism is vulgarity divested of truth." -- Winston Churchill)
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To: JZelle

Um, first question, what was the child doing in the washer in the first place, ahem, anyone, anyone???????? Where does she get off suing the manufacturer? I can't stand these idiot lawsuits and the assinine lawyers that take them.


3 posted on 08/05/2005 11:16:46 AM PDT by rockabyebaby (What do you like best about your life?)
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To: JZelle

And just why did Mom allow the girl to climb into the machine in the first place......?


4 posted on 08/05/2005 11:17:02 AM PDT by EggsAckley
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To: JZelle
What the hell difference does it make if the washer started with or without coins. There shouldn't have been a child in the washing machine.

Hopefully, they machine had a warning label advising as such.

5 posted on 08/05/2005 11:18:12 AM PDT by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
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To: JZelle

Parental negligence is why this little girl is dead. Not intentional, for sure, but still that.


6 posted on 08/05/2005 11:18:28 AM PDT by GummyIII (If you have the ability, it's your responsibility." Marine Sgt. John Place, Silver Star recipient)
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To: JZelle

How did the girl close the door from inside the machine?

Or, did someone close it for her?


7 posted on 08/05/2005 11:20:29 AM PDT by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: JZelle; Kaslin

See this thread

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1440073/posts

Teen charged in death of his 5-year-old sister in washer
Court TV via Yahoo!News ^ | July 8, 2005 | Mallory Simon, Court TV
Posted on 07/10/2005 5:34:13 AM PDT by Kaslin



8 posted on 08/05/2005 11:20:51 AM PDT by bwteim (Begin With The End In Mind)
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To: EggsAckley

> And just why did Mom allow the girl to climb into
> the machine in the first place......?

And who closed the door, which probably can't be
closed from the inside.


9 posted on 08/05/2005 11:21:00 AM PDT by Boundless
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To: JZelle
How would she know since she'd stepped out to use a payphone at the time?
Owl_Eagle

(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,

 it was probably sarcasm)

10 posted on 08/05/2005 11:21:11 AM PDT by End Times Sentinel (In Memory of my Dear Friend Henry Lee II)
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To: Calpernia

Exactly my question.


11 posted on 08/05/2005 11:21:19 AM PDT by sofaman
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To: Calpernia

I think I heard that the brother closed the door.


12 posted on 08/05/2005 11:21:32 AM PDT by conservativebabe (Down with Islam)
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To: Boundless

bump!


13 posted on 08/05/2005 11:22:15 AM PDT by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: EggsAckley
And just why did Mom allow the girl to climb into the machine in the first place......?

To get to the $18.9M. at the bottom.

14 posted on 08/05/2005 11:22:29 AM PDT by elbucko
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To: conservativebabe

Oh, I see. So the mother and lawyer see the manufacturer as responsible HOW?


15 posted on 08/05/2005 11:23:44 AM PDT by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: My2Cents

In the article, it says that family admits that the dead girl's 14 year old brother was involved in the incident.

He probably picked her up and put her inside as a big joke. She might have even been laughing at her big brother's teasing. Laughing that is until he closed the door and the thing started...


16 posted on 08/05/2005 11:24:04 AM PDT by Captain Rhino ("If you will just abandon logic, these things will make a lot more sense to you!")
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To: JZelle

A very macabre death. If we have to start the blame game, then I would point my finger at the mother.


17 posted on 08/05/2005 11:24:24 AM PDT by Kurt_D
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To: JZelle
I can't see how the machine manufacturer could be responsible for the stupidity of the parent. This is a primo case for looser pays.

Mom should be charged with negligent homicide.
18 posted on 08/05/2005 11:25:23 AM PDT by oyez (¡Qué viva la revolución de Reagan!)
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To: JZelle

The family tries to exonerate the brother by saying that he did not have eleven quarters, but their suit specifically charges that these machines are prone to starting without any money being inserted.

This family is seeking to be rewarded for their negligence.


19 posted on 08/05/2005 11:25:36 AM PDT by Famishus (Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my gun.)
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To: Calpernia

Isn't this the one where the Mom 'stepped outside for a minute' and the older teen brother put the kid in it? Blame the MACHINE??? HellO.


20 posted on 08/05/2005 11:25:45 AM PDT by bboop
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