In a troubling incident on Sunday, two men were arrested after authorities discovered seven children confined in the cargo area of a U-Haul box truck traveling on Interstate 44 in Missouri.

Around 4:30 p.m., Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers pulled over the U-Haul for a moving violation. During the stop, they made the shocking discovery of the children, whose ages ranged from just 2 to 13 years old. The conditions in which the children were found have raised serious concerns about their safety and well-being.

The two men involved, identified as 31-year-old Shaikiem Bristol and 22-year-old Musa Omar, now face serious legal repercussions. Both have been charged with seven counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, a charge that reflects the substantial risk posed to the minors during the incident.

Details surrounding the circumstances leading to the children being in the U-Haul remain unclear, and authorities are continuing their investigation. The local community is left shaken by the event, raising questions about child safety and the measures taken to protect vulnerable populations.

As the case develops, officials have emphasized the importance of vigilance regarding child welfare and the need for immediate reporting of any suspected endangerment. The children have since been placed in protective custody, and further updates are anticipated as the legal process unfolds.