Police: Toddler Died Inside Dishwasher

An 18-month-old boy died Wednesday of suspected heat exposure after he climbed into a dishwasher that started running, police said.

Authorities are still investigating, but said it appeared the boy's death was accidental.

"This is probably the hardest, most emotional scene that these investigators will ever work," said Chief Deputy Jeremy Clark of the White County sheriff's office.

Clifton Blake Kurk was found dead in his home near the White County town of Romance at about 1 p.m. Wednesday, the sheriff's office said. The boy's 13-year-old brother found him inside the appliance, which was running, authorities said.

Clark says Kurk's mother was at work and his father asleep when his 13-year-old brother made the gruesome discovery.

Clark explained, "I believe the child walked out of the room, realized that his little brother wasn't there, heard the dishwasher on and found that odd.

"The baby's blanket was laying in front of the dishwasher, so (the brother) opened it," Clark said.

Police have not released how the boy died, but said cause of death would likely be heat exposure. The boy was covered in severe burns. A preliminary report showed no prior trauma on the boy, the sheriff's office said.

CBS affiliate KTHV correspondent Alyson Courtney reports that
the boy was covered with severe burns. Courtney also reports that the police had never been called to the Kurk home before, and that the family has been cooperating fully.

"They've suffered a tragic loss," Clark said. "I don't want to lose focus of that."

Clark said it appeared to be a tragic accident, though the police are still investigating theories on how the child got in the machine.

The dishwasher was empty when the child got inside, police said. Investigators said the dishwasher was a Maytag model that automatically started when the door closed.

"The death of any child is tragic," said Monica Teague, a spokeswoman for Whirlpool Corp., which makes Maytag dishwashers.

Teague said Whirlpool's appliances are certified for child safety through an independent product testing corporation.

"All our appliances go through rigorous testing," Teague said.