Chilled Baby Discovered in Arizona Freezer

Arizona man puts infant son in freezer

Aug 27 2010


PHOENIX — Police say a suburban Phoenix man who put his infant son in a freezer has been arrested on charges of child abuse.

Chandler police say Chance Kracke told police he was high on methamphetamine when he placed his son in the freezer Aug. 16. The outside temperature was 110 degrees.

Kracke told police he was preparing food when he put the boy on the bottom shelf of his freezer and closed the door because the kitchen floor was too dirty and he wanted to keep the baby clean and cool.

Kracke says he removed the baby after several minutes when it began crying, possibly for its afternoon beer. Police say the 7-month-old suffered only a forehead laceration, possibly from the freezer door being slammed against it, but otherwise appeared in good health although very cold to the touch.

Kracke offered to warm the infant by holding it in front of a blowtorch he kept in the garage. Police declined the offer.

Kracke was arrested Thursday and also faces a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. It was unclear Friday whether he had legal representation. It was unclear Thursday and Friday whether he possessed a brain.