Mom Puts Her Down's Syndrome Kid in Washing Machine for Fun

A mother has shocked her neighbours after she posted a picture of a little boy with Down's syndrome inside a washing machine on Facebook.

Courtney Stewart, 21, says the boy, two, had climbed into the machine of his own accord because he has a 'washing obsession', and she had shared the photograph 'as a laugh'.

But her neighbours in Erskine, Renfrewshire, have not seen the funny side of the photo, which shows the boy inside the machine, with an adult's hand on the door, and reported her to the police.

'He loves the washing machine,' she told the Daily Record. 'We took a picture and it was a laugh.'

She said the door had not been closed on the boy, and the machine was unplugged as she is waiting for a new one to be delivered.

Speaking of the decision taken by someone who had seen the picture on Facebook to report it to police, she said: 'I don’t know who reported it. I don’t really know why they would do that. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.'

Ms Stewart said she had been visited by two police officers on Sunday, but said she understood why the photograph needed to be investigated.

Ms Stewart removed the photograph after it was reported to police.

A Police Scotland spokesman told MailOnline: 'Police did attend at the home and advice was given.

'The normal checks were carried out.'

Police were also informed after Ms Stewart was allegedly assaulted on her doorstep by a stranger who had seen the picture.

One, who had contacted the newspaper about the picture, said: 'It was terrible to look at. For anyone, let alone someone who is also a parent, to take a picture like that and stick it on Facebook for a laugh is unbelievable.'

Another said today: 'Think of all the chemicals and the dirt which gets stuck in your washing machine. I have no idea why she would put that on Facebook.'

A spokesman said: 'We can’t comment on individuals but we are vigilant on any issue which could potentially affect the welfare of a child.'

A 42-year-old woman was arrested over the alleged assault and appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday, where she did not enter a plea.