Joshua Tree couple Mona Lisa Kirk (51) and Daniel Panico (73) were arrested on suspicion of willful cruelty to a child after San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department officials said deputies found three of their children living in the box in an "unsuitable and unsafe environment."
"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 feet wide -- for approximately four years," officials said.
Officials said deputies came across the family as they conducted an area check in the 7000 block of Sun Fair Road just after 11am on Wednesday (local time). They found a travel-trailer, apparently abandoned, and the plywood box 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," officials said. "Approximately 30 to 40 cats were located inside the trailer and roaming freely."
The children, aged 11, 13, and 14 years old, were found to have an inadequate amount of food and were taken into the custody of Children and Family Services (CFS). Further details on their condition weren't available.
Kirk and Panico were also found on the property and determined to be the children's parents. Booking logs show they remain in custody at the Morongo Basin Sheriff's Station Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. The couple were expected to appear in court on Friday (local time).
