[js1138]

I agree that mom was negligent, but what kind of washing machine in a public place has no emergency stop and no way to open it while running.

Even shop tools intended for use by trained adults have emergency stop buttons.

I'm on the fence on this one. I say award some money to mom, and then hang her for criminal neglect.

[calex59]

How exactly is mom neglectful? She left her daughter in the temorary care of a 14 yo brother. This is legal in any state in the US. She went to use a phone. This is also legal in the US. No parent can be with their children every single second of every single day. The boy is to blame and he is probably devastated by this action of his. He obviously thought it would be a great joke to throw her in the machine for a few seconds and then take her out.

The manufacturer is responsible by not having an emergency shut off switch on the machine.

IMO, the mother is responsible for none of this, except for the fact she obviously has an idiot for a son.