Friends Defend Joshua Tree Parents Whose Kids Lived In Box

JOSHUA TREE, CA -- The conditions in which three children were found last week in Joshua Tree looked like "crap," but the children were well-cared for, said a friend of the parents who were arrested on suspicion of child cruelty.

Sheriff's officials on Thursday announced the arrests of 51-year-old Mona Kirk and 73-year-old Daniel Panico after their three children — ages 11, 13 and 14 — were found living in a plywood box in the desert. Authorities said the area surrounding the box was covered with trash, human feces and dozens of cats.

But in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Jackie Klear defended Kirk and Panico.

"I know this looks like crap," Klear told the Los Angeles Times. "But they were very well taken care of."

Klear said the children were members of a local scouting group and often made crafts. She said the oldest child was a "genius" like his father who loved to read.

Another friend, Marsha Custodio, told the newspaper that the family was being punished for simply being homeless.

"Their crime is being homeless and they kept it from people," Custodio said.

Kirk and Panico were both booked into jail on suspicion of child cruelty. They both pleaded not guilty to the crime.

The news of Kirk and Panico comes after another Inland Empire couple was arrested for child endangerment. David and Louise Turpin were arrested in January after their 13 children were allegedly found malnourished, with some of the children chained to beds.

--Photo courtesy of San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department

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3 Children Found Living In A Box In Joshua Tree