Daniel Panico, 73, and Mona Kirk, 51, who are facing charges of child cruelty after they, their three children, and some 35 cats were found living in what was described as filthy conditions in a plywood structure off Sunfair Road in Joshua Tree February 28, returned to Joshua Tree court yesterday (Wednesday, April 11). The court appearance only lasted some five minutes as they arrived to find their case had been rescheduled for April 25, because their defense attorneys said they needed more time for discovery. The couple, who had been released last month on their own recognizance, still can’t see the children unsupervised. A go-fund-me account raised almost $70,000 and the funds have purchased a home in the Joshua Tree area which volunteers are preparing for the family to move into.
