June 1, 2007

WHITE, Ark., June 1 (UPI) -- The White County, Ark., sheriff's department launched an investigation after an 18-month-old boy died in a dishwasher.
Blake Kurck reportedly died after crawling into a dishwasher that locked itself from the outside and turned on, the Searcy (Ark.) Daily Citizen reported.

"What we have found so far is that we suggest this is a tragic accident," said Jeremy Clark, the chief deputy of the White County Sheriffs Department. "However, the case is still open and we're still investigating."

Foul play hasn't been ruled out by detectives, the newspaper said.

The child's family has been cooperative, and a preliminary autopsy has shown that he died from exposure to heat, said Clark.

"Injuries on the body come from a scalding-type burn," Lt. Fred Cheek told the Daily Citizen. "I've worked crime scenes for the sheriff for the last six years, and I've never seen anything like this."