WEBSTER COUNTY, Mo. (KY3/Gray News) – Two men were arrested and charged after seven children were found in the back of a U-Haul box truck on I-44 in Missouri.
Sunday around 4:30 p.m., troopers stopped the U-Haul box truck for a moving violation. Troopers found seven children in the cargo area of the U-Haul. Their ages ranged from 2 to 13 years old.
According to court records, 31-year-old Shaikiem Bristol and 22-year-old Musa Omar are charged with seven counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, creating substantial risk.
According to court documents, Bristol told the trooper that he and Omar were on their way to Buffalo, New York, after picking up a girl who was being kicked out by her mom in Glendale, Arizona.
The trooper said Bristol’s breathing was short and rapid as he was answering. He told the trooper Omar rented the U-Haul, and they had left New York on Sept. 24 to drive to Arizona.
The trooper noticed two women in the passenger seat who Bristol said were his sister and fiancee. The women told the trooper they went to Arizona to visit family and to pick up some stuff. The trooper also noticed their breathing was short and rapid.
According to court documents, the trooper noticed conflicting stories about the trip and thought they were involved in criminal activity. Bristol gave the trooper permission to search the U-Haul box truck. He told the trooper there were beds, clothing and five adults and seven kids in the back.
The trooper asked for backup and Bristol and the women were arrested.
The U-Haul was taken to the Webster County Jail for further investigation and to keep anyone from running into traffic on I-44.
When authorities opened the back of the U-Haul, they noticed the air was much warmer and that there was no power or air conditioning in the back. The U-Haul was also dirty with trash, clothes and food containers.
According to authorities, as they were taking the children out of the U-Haul, they noticed most had dirty diapers and had not been changed in hours. Troopers noted that all occupants of the back area were sweaty from the heat in the back of the U-Haul.
After his arrest, troopers questioned Bristol. Troopers asked why they took the kids on the trip.
“I have no idea why we took the kids. I knew it was going to be hot. That’s why we tried to stop a lot,” Bristol told authorities.
Bristol told authorities they tried to stop every hour and a half to two hours during the trip so they would not get hot. He told investigators that he and Omar were the only ones who drove.
During the trip, the two took shifts, and Bristol mentioned to investigators that he noticed it was hot in the back of the U-Haul.
Investigators from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Family Services also responded.
Bristol and Omar are being held without bond in the Webster County Jail and are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
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