Mona Kirk and Daniel Panico, the homeless couple arrested last week and charged with felony child abuse, were freed today following a hearing at San
Bernardino County Superior Court in Joshua Tree. Reporter David Haldane was there and filed this report…
Things were different at the courthouse today. For starters, more than 20 protesters stood on a corner outside waving signs bearing slogans such as “Guilty of Being Poor.” But inside a courtroom packed with reporters and well-wishers wearing red hearts, there was silence as Judge Joel Agron called for order.
The crowd was there to support Joshua Tree residents Mona Kirk and Daniel Panico, who were charged with felony child abuse after deputies found them living with their three children and 30 cats in a plywood box. The wait wasn’t long; following a 15-minute conference with lawyers, the judge released the couple on their own recognizance pending a preliminary hearing set for March 15. He also ordered them to cooperate with children and family services, which still has custody of the kids.
Outside the courthouse, Mona chatted briefly with reporters before being whisked away by friends. “Everything happens for a reason. It’s been life-altering. The children were always safe. We’re gonna get everything tidied up and get them back and go on with life.”
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