Authorities in Missouri have arrested two men, Shaikiem Bristol, 31, and Musa Omar, 22, after a shocking discovery of seven children in the back of a U-Haul truck during a traffic stop on I-44 in Webster County. 

The children, aged between two and 13, were found alongside five adults in the truck’s cargo area, which lacked air conditioning and ventilation WLBT reports.

The group was reportedly traveling from Arizona to New York when the Missouri State Highway Patrol intervened.

Troopers were suspicious after noticing discrepancies in the stories provided by Bristol and Omar, leading to a search of the U-Haul. 

Inside, officers found a distressing scene with the children in visibly poor conditions—overheated, with dirty diapers, and limited access to air. Bristol claimed he was aware of the dangerous heat in the truck and said they had tried to stop frequently to cool off the children. 

Both men were charged with seven counts of first-degree child endangerment. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have been involved, raising concerns about potential human trafficking or immigration violations. 

The children are now in the custody of the Department of Family Services while investigations continue.