A couple accused of abusing their children by being homeless appeared again yesterday at San Bernardino County Superior Court in Joshua Tree. Reporter David Haldane was there, and filed this report…
They don’t get their kids back, but at least they get to visit them. That was the judge’s order yesterday at a custody hearing for Mona Kirk and Daniel Panico, the homeless Joshua Tree couple charged with felony child abuse for allegedly living with their children in a plywood box. The three kids have been in the custody of family services ever since the pair was arrested February 28. The parents were released last week, but Judge Joel Agron ordered both sides to present arguments at a preliminary hearing continued to April 12 before deciding the fate of the kids.
Still, defense attorney Elizabeth Crabtree, representing Mona Kirk, described her client as “very happy today.” The couple has received a tremendous outpouring of support from the community which, among other things, has raised almost $56,000 for the purchase of a house in Joshua Tree. On Tuesday the pair declined to speak to reporters, citing the advice of attorneys.
