Two Arrested After Seven Children Found in U-Haul Truck in Missouri
On September 30, 2024, two men were arrested after Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers discovered seven children in the cargo area of a U-Haul box truck during a traffic stop on Interstate 44 near Marshfield, Missouri.
Incident Details
The traffic stop took place around 4:30 p.m. when troopers pulled over the U-Haul for a moving violation. Upon inspection, officers were shocked to find seven children, aged between 2 and 13, confined in the cargo area of the truck. Additionally, three women were present in the storage area with the children.
Conditions inside the cargo area were alarming; it was noticeably warmer than the rest of the truck and lacked power or air conditioning. Many of the children had dirty diapers that appeared to have gone unchanged for several hours, raising concerns about their well-being.
Suspects and Charges
The two men arrested in connection with this disturbing incident are:
- Shaikiem Bristol, 31 years old
- Musa Omar, 22 years old
Both men face seven counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, creating substantial risk. They are currently being held without bond at the Webster County Jail.
Additional Information
The U-Haul truck had been rented by Omar, and the group was reportedly traveling from Arizona to Buffalo, New York. Bristol acknowledged to authorities that they attempted to stop every 1.5 to 2 hours during the journey to prevent overheating.
Inside the cargo area of the truck, investigators found mattresses, clothing, and food containers. All seven children were subsequently released to the Department of Family Services for their safety and care.
This case has attracted the attention of multiple agencies, including ICE, DHS, and DFS, which responded promptly to the situation. The suspects are scheduled to make a court appearance on October 1, 2024.
