Seven Children Found in Back of 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 truck on I-44 in Missouri.

Sunday around 4:30 p.m., officers stopped the U-Haul truck for a moving violation. Officers found seven children in the loading area 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 by creating 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 who was being kicked out by her mother in Glendale, Arizona.

The officer said Bristol’s breathing was short and rapid as he responded. He told the officer that Omar rented the U-Haul and that they had 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 fiancée. The women told the officer they went to Arizona to visit family and buy some things. The officer also noticed that their breathing was short and rapid.

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

The officer called for backup and Bristol and the women were arrested.

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

When authorities opened the back of the U-Haul, they noticed that 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, clothing and food containers.

According to authorities, when they removed the children from the U-Haul, they noticed that most of them had dirty diapers and had not been changed in hours. Officers noted that all occupants in the rear area were sweaty from the heat in the back of the U-Haul.

After his arrest, soldiers questioned Bristol. The police asked why they took the children on the trip.

“I have no idea why we took the children. I knew it was going to be hot. That’s why we tried to stop so many times,” Bristol told authorities.

Bristol told authorities they tried to stop every hour and a half to two hours during the trip so as not to overheat. He told investigators that he and Omar were the only ones driving.

During the trip, the two took turns and Bristol mentioned to investigators that he noticed it was hot in the back of the U-Haul.

Investigators from the Department of 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 Tuesday.

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