Boy, 7, found dead in washing machine after dad reported him missing
An adoptive dad has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after his seven-year-old son was found dead inside a washing machine.
Troy Koehler was tragically discovered crammed inside a washing machine on July 28, 2022, at their family home in Spring, Texas. Jermaine Thomas had reported Troy missing, and hours later, officers discovered the child's body in the washing machine, fully clothed.
'Now, we will never know what he could have become,' his former teacher, Sheryl Reed, said during the sentencing. 'His future, his dreams, his life–were stolen by someone who was supposed to love, protect, and nurture him.' It comes after a woman, 20, was found dead on bus with 26 iPhones glued to her body.
According to the post-mortem examination, Troy had sustained fresh and historic injuries, but there was no reference to drowning.
His death was classified as a homicide and, according to courtroom documents, he died from asphyxiation and blunt force trauma.
He had numerous bruises and scars across his body, along with facial injuries. Troy's body was covered with fresh and old bruises.
Investigators also discovered blood on the drum of the washing machine and other parts of the house, according to court documents.
Thomas has been charged with capital murder and faces 50 years in prison, which is often regarded as a "virtual life sentence," ruling out the possibility of parole. Thomas' wife, Tiffany Thomas, has also been charged in the case with injury to a child by omission. She is seeking community supervision.
In court on Wednesday, devastated teacher Reed remembered the seven-year-old as a "son I never had."
'Today a reader, tomorrow a leader. That was always Troy,' Reed said. 'He loved reading. If he finished early, he'd head straight to our class library. Then he'd go right back to share those stories with classmates…always lifting others up with the joy he carried.'
'He was the son I never had. I loved that boy and wanted to see him succeed,' she added.
It comes as one man is accused of leaving his 73-year-old dad to die in a bathtub after allegedly setting fire to his home, according to police.
Clinton Hadley, 40, has been charged with murder after he admitted to intentionally burning down his father's home and leaving his father to die. The suspect was seen driving away from the home in Texas before smoke exited the house. 73-year-old Floyd Hadley called 999 on July 21 to try and plead for help, but he was unable to get out of the bathtub.
When emergency services arrived, the home was engulfed in flames. Tragically, the dad was found dead in a bathtub. A preliminary autopsy indicated he had smoke in his lungs.
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