The father of a four-month-old baby girl is facing charges of child endangerment after he allegedly stuffed her into a clothes dryer and turned it on.

Michael Higgins, 34, who allegedly has a history of domestic violence was arrested after the four-month-old girl’s mum told police he had put their baby into a dryer at his home on Kimball Street in Manchester, New Hampshire last Sunday (12th September).

The Manchester Police Department said a statement on Monday (13th September) that officers were called to Higgins’ address following a domestic disturbance call.

When the police arrived they were informed by the baby girl’s mother, who was not named, that Higgins had put their infant child in the dryer on Wednesday (8th September).

She added that Higgins turned on the machine but she was able to take the baby girl out before she was seriously harmed.

As a result, Higgins was charged with Reckless Conduct, Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Criminal Threatening.

A Manchester police spokesperson told local station WHDH-TV: “It’s very disturbing. This child is just 4-months-old and was put inside a dryer — it doesn’t matter if it’s a few seconds”

The spokesperson added: “The point of the matter is, this child is at a young age who can get hurt very easily. This is very frightening for the child, traumatic. And traumatic for the mother who witnessed the whole thing as well.”

According to the authorities, the suspect was refused bail on the grounds that he poses a threat to the community and to his family including his daughter.

Higgins has allegedly had previous cases brought against him for domestic violence and he is believed to have violated a restraining order in Massachusetts.

The suspect is currently being held in detention and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.