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Boy who hid in dryer during hide-and-seek died of electrocution, autopsy shows

HOUSTON — Update 4:25 p.m. EDT April 30:Authorities have determined that a 10-year-old boy, who was found dead Friday in a dryer at an apartment complex in east Houston, died of electrocution, according to multiple reports.

The Houston Chronicle reported Monday that the boy, identified by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences as Fernando Hernandez, was found unresponsive Friday afternoon in a communal laundry room of an apartment complex.

Authorities believe his death was an accident.

Fernando's mother, Christina Rodriguez, told KTRK that he was playing hide-and-seek with his brother on Friday.

“I don’t know what happened,” she told the news station. “I was just inside cooking and my little son came inside and told me my son was dead on the floor.”

Original report:  A Houston family is mourning the death of a child after he was found in a dryer.

Officials said Fernando Hernandez Jr., 10,  was found after police said he and his friends were playing hide-and-seek and having a Nerf gun battle in their apartment complex, KTRK reported.

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Fernando's mother, Christina Rodriguez, told KTRK he was playing with his brother.

“I don’t know what happened,” Rodriguez said. “I was just inside cooking and my little son came inside and told me my son was dead on the floor.”

Paramedics were called, and tried to revive him with CPR. He was taken to an area hospital, where he died, KTRK reported.

Police are investigating what killed the boy.