A 7-year-old boy from Spring, Texas, who was reported missing in the early hours of Thursday was found dead in the family’s washing machine almost two hours later.
Former foster child Troy Khoeler was adopted in 2019. The family noticed he was missing around 4 a.m.
Police responded to the call around 5:30 a.m. in the 4400 block of Rosegate Drive. Around 7:20 a.m., police found the boy’s body in the top-loading washing machine in the garage after searching the neighborhood and the house.
The police have taken the parents into custody for questioning. Lt. Robert Minchew, a homicide detective for the Harris County sheriff’s office, declined to comment on whether foul play is suspected.
Troy Khoeler did not have any other siblings, but officials told KPRC 2 that the family had run-ins with Child Protective Services in the past.
The cause and time of death are still unknown as authorities wait for the medical examiner’s assessment.