DATE/TIME: Thursday, September 14, 2023, 2:00 P.M.
INCIDENT: PC 273a(a) Child Neglect/ Endangerment
LOCATION: Joshua Tree, CA
SUSPECT(S): Chad Pressman- 41-year-old Male Resident of Joshua Tree
Lotte Kassies-36-year-old Female Resident of Joshua Tree
VICTIM(S): 7-year-old, Male Juvenile
SUMMARY:
On Thursday, September 14, 2023, at approximately 2:00 p.m., deputies from the Morongo Basin Station conducted a welfare check on a recreational vehicle (RV), located in the open desert area of Joshua Tree, near Cascade Road.
Deputies found the victim, a 7-year-old male, living in deplorable conditions at the location. The location did not have running water or electricity. The RV was in complete disarray, with trash, infested with insects, minimal food and standing water on the bottom of the fridge with what appeared to be mold. There were multiple health and safety concerns located at the location, likely to cause great harm or bodily injury to the victim.
Detectives authored a search warrant for the location and arrested, Chad Pressman and Lotte Kassies, for PC 273a(a) Child Neglect / Endangerment. Pressman was transported and booked at West Valley Detention Center, with a bail set at $60,000. Kassies was interviewed and released on scene, with a report to be sent to the District Attorney’s Office. The San Bernardino County Children and Family Services responded and took custody of the victim.
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 should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to www.wetip.com.
Refer: Detective S. Ables / Deputy B. Miller
Station: Morongo Basin Station
Phone No. 760-366-4175
Case No. 092301280
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
