Indiana babysitter accused of putting 3-year-old in washer and dryer

GARRETT, Ind. (WPVI) -- A 14-year-old boy and his friends are accused of putting a three-year-old girl in a washer and dryer - and turning the machines on. The 14-year-old is in police custody in Garrett, Indiana and allegedly told officers they were imitating a YouTube video where an animal was placed in a washer or dryer.

The three-year-old victim was injured so severely she required hospitalization.

The child's mother, Missy Camp told WANE-TV she left the girl and her other 5-year-old daughter in the care of a long time family friend, a 14-year-old boy, while she went to spend time with her family. Missy said the boy had babysat her daughters before.

However, when she came to pick up her daughters the next day, Missy said she found bruises all over the child's body. Camp claims her apartment was also trashed. Camp claims her 5-year-old daughter told her the 14-year-old babysitter invited three of his friends over. According to the child's sister, the boys turned the washer on until it was filled with water and then put the little girl in it. They also put her in the dryer.

"It's hard to explain," said Camp. "I go home; I'm upset, but at the same time I feel like I can't really sit and cry and I need to keep both of my kids happy, not as depressed about it."

Missy claims when she confronted the 14-year-old about the incident, he claimed he took the child to the park and she fell off a merry-go-round.

The child's mother took her to the hospital and she claims doctors told her she showed signs of sexual abuse.

She said her daughter has not been the same since the weekend.

"She's quiet," said Missy. "Like usually she's very hyper, running around, going crazy and all that, but lately she just kind of wants to sit on the couch and cuddle. She doesn't eat as much."

Missy said she wants justice.

"My first goal is to just get one to break down and just kind of admit or say who did it and from there press charges and hopefully they get what they deserve," she said.

Missy's sister, Madison, is also demanding justice. She posted pictures of her niece's injuries on Facebook and wrote a caption under the photos claiming the boys were not being charged.

"She's my niece," said Madison. "She's like everything to me. She's literally like my life. I love her so much. I just want her to have the clarity she deserves."

Garrett Police Department chief, Roland McPherson told WANE-TV they are investigating the case and it's unfortunate that people are going on Facebook to discuss the situation before all the facts have been truly represented. He claims one juvenile is being detained and charges are currently pending.

The DeKalb County Prosecutor, Claramary Winebrenner said certain incorrect and dangerous allegations appear to be spreading at a rapid rate on Facebook and other social media, and such inaccurate information must be addressed.

She firstly said that it's not true that 'nothing can be done because the alleged perpetrators are juveniles.' She said secondly, 'one of the special protections of the juvenile code is that the identity of juvenile offenders is confidential.'

She also gave reminders of the 'danger posed by allowing videos of dangerous experiments to remain on YouTube' and the 'danger of spreading or believing information on Facebook that has not been verified.'