HOMELESS COUPLE ACCUSED OF CHILD ABUSE REUNITED WITH THEIR CHILDREN

The homeless Joshua Tree couple accused of child cruelty after they and their three children were found living in a plywood structure in February had their children returned to them Thursday. Daniel Panico, 73, and Mona Kirk, 51, met with a social worker earlier this week who laid out specific conditions the couple had to meet in order to have their children returned, including completing parenting classes and having a home in which to live. Friends of the family started a GoFundMe page in March that has to date raised more than $65,000, which has gone toward the purchase and renovation of a long-vacant three-bedroom home in Joshua Tree. Panico and Kirk met with a judge in San Bernardino Thursday afternoon, and were able to leave the courthouse with their three children, ages 11, 13, and 14. Supporters rallied outside the courthouse Thursday to show their support for the reunification of the family. The felony child abuse charges against Daniel Panico and Mona Kirk were reduced to misdemeanor charges May 2; their next court appearance on those charges is June 29.