7 children found in the back of a U-Haul truck, two men arrested

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.

On Sunday around 4:30 p.m., officers stopped the U-Haul box truck for a traffic violation. Officers found seven children in the back of the U-Haul. Their ages ranged from 2 to 13 years.

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 posing a substantial risk.

According to court documents, Bristol told the officer that he and Omar were on their way to Buffalo, New York, after picking up a girl in Glendale, Arizona, who had been kicked out by her mother.

The officer said Bristol's breathing was short and rapid as he responded. He told the officer that Omar rented the U-Haul and they left New York on September 24 to drive to Arizona.

The officer noticed two women in the passenger seat who Bristol said were his sister and his fiancée. The women told the officer they were driving to Arizona to visit family and pick up some belongings. The officer also noticed that her breathing was short and rapid.

According to court documents, the officer noticed conflicting stories about the trip and believed they were involved in criminal activity. Bristol gave the officer permission to search the U-Haul box truck. He told the officer that there were beds, clothing and five adults and seven children in the back.

The police officer asked for assistance and Bristol and the women were arrested.

The U-Haul was taken to the Webster County Jail for further processing to prevent anyone from running into traffic on I-44.

When authorities opened the back of the U-Haul, they found that the air was much warmer and that there was no power or air conditioning in the back. The U-Haul was also littered with trash, clothing and food containers.

When they removed the children from the U-Haul, authorities say they discovered that most were wearing dirty diapers and had not been changed in hours. The troopers noted that all the occupants in the rear were sweaty from the heat in the back of the U-Haul.

After his arrest, police officers questioned Bristol. The police asked why they had taken the children with them on the trip.

“I have no idea why we took the children. I knew it would be hot. That’s why we tried to stop a lot of things,” Bristol told authorities.

Bristol told authorities they tried to stop every hour and a half to two hours while driving so they wouldn't get too hot. He told investigators that he and Omar were the only ones driving.

The two took turns driving, and Bristol told investigators 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 bail in the Webster County Jail and are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

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