Mona Kirk & Daniel Panico arrested for willful cruelty to a child after deputies find 3 of their kids living in a box 
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, February 28,2018 11:04 am
INCIDENT: Penal Code 273 A (A) Willful Cruelty to a Child
LOCATION: 7000 block of Sun Fair Road, Joshua Tree
SUSPECT(S): Mona Kirk, 51 years old, resident of Joshua Tree
Daniel Panico, 73 years old, resident of Joshua Tree
VICTIM(S): Confidential: 14-Year-Old Juvenile
Confidential: 13-Year-Old Juvenile
Confidential: 11-Year-Old Juvenile
SUMMARY: On Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at approximately 11:04 am, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Morongo Basin Station, were conducting an area check in the 7000 block of Sun Fair Road in Joshua Tree.
Deputies located a travel trailer, which appeared to be abandoned, and a large rectangular box made of plywood on the property. The property had no electricity or running water. Several large holes and mounds of trash and human feces were located throughout the property. Approximately 30-40 cats were located inside the trailer and roaming freely. While checking the property deputies contacted three victims ages 11,13 and 14. Mona Kirk and Daniel Panico were found on the property and determined to be the parents of the victims.
During the investigation, deputies learned the three victims have lived in the large rectangular box, (approximately 20 feet long by 4 feet high by 10 ft wide) for approximately four years. The victims were found to have an inadequate amount of food and were living in an unsuitable and unsafe environment due to the conditions located on the property. Children and Family Service responded to the location and took custody of the three victims.
Mona Kirk and Daniel Panico were arrested and booked into the Morongo Basin Jail for Penal Code Penal Code 273 A (A) Willful Cruelty To Child in lieu of 100,000 bail.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Morongo Basin Station at (760)366-4175. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME.
Refer: Deputy Z. Carlos
Station: Morongo Basin Station
Case #: 091800308
Phone No. (760) 366-4175
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Morongo Basin Sheriff's Department
63665 Twentynine Palms Highway
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
