Man Allegedly Locks 7-Year-Old Daughter in Dryer, Turns It On

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Steve McClairin was arraigned Wednesday morning on several charges
, including two counts of endangering children, felonious assault, kidnapping and domestic violence. McClairin is accused of locking his 7-year-old daughter inside the dryer and turning it on. Prosecutors say, "There's no explaining this type of activity. Why any individual would place any human being or any animal or anything in a dryer is unexplainable, and to a normal thinking person, there's no explanation and obviously this man has issues," said Mike O'Malley, first assistant to Cuyahoga County prosecutor Bill Mason.

The child told her teacher at school that her father put her in the dryer more than once. The school contacted child services, and charges were filed. "If you're capable of putting your child in a clothes dryer, you're probably capable of a lot of horrible things," said O'Malley. McClairin remains in jail on $250,000 bond and awaits a pre-trial schedule for January 12. He faces up to 33 years in prison.

Child abuse in the black community is a very serious problem. They say that it takes a village to raise a child, well it also takes a village to protect a child. If you see child abuse occurring in your community, be sure to report it. Dr. Towanna Freeman, founder of Girl Prep Hollywood, a leading forum for pre-teen girls, had this to say:

"Child abuse and neglect are vastly under-reported. This is partly due to the child's physical and intellectual vulnerability and the power the abuser has over the child. Statistics show that a small percentage of child abuse is inflicted by individuals unknown to the child. It is often parents, family members and close acquaintances causing the suffering."

The nightmare that this young girl was experiencing at the hands of her father is simply unimaginable. Thank God her teacher had the courage to get involved.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here.

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