Joshua Tree parents accused of housing children in shed awarded custody of kids
The Joshua Tree parents accused of housing their children in a plywood shed for four years have been awarded custody of kids.
Daniel Panico and Mona Kirk were awarded custody of their all three of their kids today after a full day hearing at the Family Court in San Bernardino, a family friend confirmed. The children are currently on their way home.
There were some stipulations that we are working on confirming.
Kirk and Panico were arrested on March 1 after deputies with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department conducted an area check and discovered that the three children had been living in an “approximately 20 feet long by 4 feet high by 10 feet wide” plywood box for four years.
As the case against Kirk and Panico went on, supporters argued that the parents weren’t abusive to the kids, just met with a series of unfortunate circumstances.
Parents who housed children in shed say no abuse
Earlier this month, the San Bernardino District Attorney dropped the felony child abuse charges against the parents and refiled new misdemeanor charges. They now face six charges of child endangerment, all misdemeanor charges. Each charge corresponds with each one of their three children. Kirk and Panico plead not guilty to all new misdemeanor charges.
Stay with KESQ & CBS Local 2 for any updates.
Download the KESQ & CBS Local 2 app on iTunes or Google Play for up-to-the-minute breaking news alerts & more
More: I-Team and Stands for You investigations
Find us on Facebook: KESQ News Channel 3 & CBS Local 2
Follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates: @KESQ & @Local2
We’re on Instagram! @KESQ_News_Channel_3 & @CBSLocal2
Noticias en español: Telemundo 15
