3 Children Found Living In A Box In Joshua Tree, Parents Arrested

JOSHUA TREE, CA — A mother and father from Joshua Tree were arrested this week after their three children were found living in a plywood box in the remote California desert community. San Bernardino County sheriff's officials say the children — ages 11, 13 and 14 — had been dealing with the horrid living conditions for an estimated four years.

Sheriff's officials on Thursday announced the arrests of 51-year-old Mona Kirk and 73-year-old Daniel Panico in connection to the case. They were both booked into jail on suspicion of child cruelty. Bail was set at $100,000 each, records show.

The disturbing discovery was made Wednesday, when sheriff's deputies headed out to the 7000 block of Sun Fair Road in Joshua Tree for an "area check," according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

"Deputies located a travel trailer, which appeared to be abandoned, and a large rectangular box made of plywood on the property," the agency said.

"The property had no electricity or running water," according to officials. "Several large holes and mounds of trash and human feces were located throughout the property."

Among the mess, deputies spotted an estimated 30 to 40 cats. Then, they found three children, along with Kirk and Panico.

"During the investigation, deputies learned the three victims have lived in the large rectangular box, (approximately 20 feet long by 4 feet high by 10 ft wide) for approximately four years," the sheriff's department said.

Not only were the kids living in the box — but they didn't have enough food, officials said.

The parents were ultimately taken away to be booked into jail, while the three children were taken away by Children and Family Services, according to the sheriff's department.

"It should be known these children WERE NOT being held captive in a box; rather, the entire family was living in a very confined area, without running water, electricity or heat," sheriff's Capt. Trevis Newport said on Twitter following news of the arrests.

Sheriff's officials asked that if anyone may have information about this case, to call the Morongo Basin Station at (760)366-4175.

— Images show the Joshua Tree property where the youth were allegedly living for four years / Courtesy: San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department