Authorities have charged two men after finding children in the back of a U-Haul box truck on Interstate 44 over the weekend.
Around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, troopers stopped a U-Haul box truck traveling east on I-44 near Marshfield for a moving violation. Troopers discovered seven juveniles in the U-Haul’s cargo area, ranging in age from 2 to 13.
Shaikiem Bristol, 31, and Musa Omar, 22, face seven charges of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, posing a significant risk, according to court records.
According to court filings, when a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer stopped the U-Haul, he asked Shaikiem where they were coming from. Shaikiem revealed to the trooper that they were en route to Buffalo, New York, following the removal of a girl from her mother’s home in Glendale, Arizona. One of the adults is from Glendale, while the others are from Buffalo.
The trooper noticed Shaikiem’s respiration was short and rapid while he was responding. Shaikiem informed the trooper that his friend Omar hired the U-Haul and that they departed New York on the 24th to drive to Arizona.
The trooper spotted two women in the passenger seat. Shaikiem claimed they were his sister and fiancée. The women told the trooper that they had been to Arizona to visit family and pick up some items. The soldier also noticed that their respiration was shallow and fast.
According to court filings, the trooper noticed contradicting stories about the trip and suspected illegal behavior. The trooper requested permission to search the U-Haul box truck, and Shaikiem agreed. However, he informed the trooper that there were beds, clothing, five adults, and seven children in the rear.
At this moment, the trooper requested backup. When they arrived, they detained Shaikiem and the two women. Authorities searched the women and discovered nothing unlawful.
We then transported the U-Haul to the Webster County Jail for further investigation and to stop anyone from rushing into traffic on I-44.
When investigators opened the rear of the U-Haul, they discovered substantially warmer air and no power or air conditioning. Trash, clothing, and food containers littered the U-Haul.
As they removed the children from the U-Haul, officials noticed that most had soiled diapers that had not been changed in hours. It was hot, so troopers saw everyone in the back of the U-Haul sweating.
Following Shaikeim’s detention, troopers questioned him further. Troopers questioned why they had taken the children on vacation. Shaikiem said, “I’m not sure why we took the kids. I knew it would be hot. That’s why we made numerous attempts to stop.”
Shaikiem informed investigators that they tried to stop every hour and a half to two hours during the drive to avoid getting too hot. Shaikiem told detectives that he and Omar were the only ones driving.
During the trip, the two took shifts, and Shaikiem told investigators that it was hot in the back of the U-Haul.
Investigators from ICE, DHS, and DFS all responded.
Only Shaikiem and Omar are currently facing charges related to the incident.
The Webster County Jail is holding Shaikiem and Omar without bond, and they are due in court on October 1.
