The Washing Machine Death of 10-Day Old Maggie Mae

Lyndsey Fiddler stuffed her 10-day-old baby, Maggie Mae Trammel, into the washing machine with a pile of laundry. She proceeded to start the machine, never realizing she had placed the baby inside the washer. Lyndsey had smoked methamphetamines earlier in the day. After starting the machine, she laid down on the couch and dosed off. It was November 4, 2010, a day Rhonda Cashatt will never forget. She immediately knew something was wrong when she saw Lyndsey lying on the couch in a meth-induced whateverthefuck. The baby went through an entire wash cycle by the time Aunt Rhonda found her crumbled and mangled body in the washing machine.

911 Call: My Baby is Dead

Cashatt was on the phone with 911 when Fiddler finally awoke from her slumber. She can be heard screaming "My baby is dead" in the background during the call. She is then heard accusing her aunt of killing Maggie Mae. “No, I did not kill your baby, you did,” Cashatt can be heard saying in the call.

Paramedics arrived at the home where they desperately attempted to revive baby Maggie Mae. They transported her to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Fiddler was taken into custody and charged with manslaughter. Her two sons, aged 3 and 4, were taken into protective custody.

Family Was Concerned About Children

Before Maggie Mae's birth, concerned family and friends contacted social services. Fiddler was the mother of two kids already and seemed unconcerned with her drug addiction and criminal lifestyle. She did not stop smoking meth during her pregnancy. Those closest to Fiddler feared the day would come when she would hurt one of the kids. her long arrest record includes convictions for assault and drug possession. During her fourth month of pregnancy, Fiddler had been taken into custody on possession of meth. She was high on the drug at the time.

Fiddler's boyfriend and Maggie Mae’s father, Benjamin Fiddler, stood by her side, confidently stating that she did not intentionally hurt the baby.

“Inside my heart, I can’t believe Lyndsey would have hurt our little girl. I don’t believe it in my heart to be honest with you,” the man said.

Death Ruled a Homicide

The Medical Examiner ruled Maggie Mae’s death a homicide, stating that she died of drowning. The report also indicated that the infant had numerous abrasions and contusions consistent with those that would be endured “while in the washing machine during a wash cycle.” The toxicology report did not reveal any alcohol or drugs in the baby’s system.

Fiddler Pleaded Guilty/Sentencing

Fiddler pleaded guilty to child neglect and second-degree murder. Her toxicology report revealed methamphetamine and a series of other drugs in her system.

“I omitted to use ordinary care and caution in regards to supervising Maggie Mae by using and abusing methamphetamine and prescription drugs,” Fiddler wrote in her court disposition.

She was sentenced to four years on the manslaughter conviction and a split 30-year term on child neglect with 15 years to serve in prison and 15 years of intensive probation once she is released.

“Meth is something that grabs a hold of you and you just can’t explain.”- Joe Parrott, Toxicologist

Substance Abuse Help

If you or someone you love is struggling with drug addiction, free, confidential help is available.

The SAMHSA hotline offers 24/7 help in the United States. Call 1-800-662-4357 to speak with a counselor.

Faces & Voices of Recovery was founded in 2001 and serves as an advocacy organization for individuals in long-term recovery. Visit their website at facesandvoicesofrecovery.org for more information.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America offers information and resources for teens and parents of teens struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. Visit their website at drugfree.org for more information.

For those interested, the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network offers information about clinical trial testing that promises substance intervention success. Visit clinicaltrials.gov or drugabuse.gov/about-nida-organization/cctn/ctn for more information