The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
The father of a 4-month-old was arrested and charged after allegedly putting the baby in the clothes dryer and turning the machine on.
34-year-old Michael Higgins lives in Manchester. He has a 4-month-old daughter.
On September 12, the Manchester Police Department received a call about a possible domestic violence situation taking place at a residence.
Officers were sent to the address to investigate the situation. When they arrived, they said they met with Higgins and a woman identified as the mother of the infant.
The police determined that while a verbal altercation may have taken place, there was no indication that anyone had been physically harmed.
According to a statement released by the Manchester Police Department, an officer was speaking with the child’s mother, and they were standing away from Higgins. She alleged that Higgins had put their child in danger on September 8. The woman claimed that he turned on the clothes dryer after putting the infant inside and closing the door.
The baby’s mother said she was able to stop the dryer and get their daughter out within moments, and the infant did not seem to have any physical injuries.
Higgins was arrested and jailed, and he is facing charges for endangering the welfare of a child, reckless conduct, and criminal threatening. He is being held without bail as he was deemed a danger to the community. This was reportedly decided based on his prior domestic violence infractions and the violent nature of the current allegations.
No explanation was given as to why the mother did not report it sooner when Higgins allegedly turned the dryer on with the baby inside.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a domestic violence offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.