Police say Mason City mother started dryer with child inside

Police in Mason City have arrested a woman they say started a clothes dryer with her 22-month-old son inside as punishment.

The Globe Gazette reports 25-year-old Mallory Hakes, of Mason City, has been charged with child endangerment.

Police say Hakes' son crawled into the clothes dryer in the home's basement, and when Hakes found him she shut the door and turned on the dryer with the toddler inside.

Police say the dryer was on for no longer than a few seconds and the child wasn't hurt. The investigation came after police received a report of suspected child abuse.

If convicted, Hakes could face up to two years in prison.

The case was not yet entered in online court records and no attorney information for Hakes was immediately available.