CLARION TWP., Pa. (EYT) – A New Jersey couple landed in the Clarion County Jail after police found them traveling with their children in the back of a box truck while temperatures were well below freezing.
Criminal charges were filed on January 1 against Jose Louis Padillo, 40, and Ramona Lydia Padillo, 39, both of Woodbridge, New Jersey.
On January 1, Clarion-based State Police received a report indicating two adults were seen placing their children in the back of a yellow box truck.
Around 1:25 p.m., Tpr. Aaron Shapiro located the vehicle on Interstate 80 Westbound near mile marker 64 in Clarion Township.
According to a criminal complaint filed by Tpr. Shapiro at Magisterial District Judge Duane L. Quinn’s office, the children were found in the back of the truck seated on a couch.
The driver – Jose Padillo – told Tpr. Shapiro that they were traveling from New Jersey to Ohio.
The criminal complaint states that the young girls – ages 8, 10, and 12 – were wearing coats and covered with a blanket; however, there was no source of heat. The temperature at the time of the traffic stop was 10°F.
“In the rear of the vehicle there was no possible way to safely secure the children,” said Tpr. Shapiro in the criminal complaint.
Shapiro also said heavy items such as furniture and power tools were not secured, creating a potentially dangerous situation, the complaint continues.
The following charges were filed against Jose Padillo:
- Endangering Welfare of Children Parent/Guardian/Other Commits, Misdemeanor 1 (3 counts)
- Recklessly Endangering Another, Misdemeanor 2 (3 counts)
- Failure to Notify Change in Address, Summary
- Failure To Keep Right, Summary
- Careless Driving, Summary (3 counts)
- Reckless Driving, Summary (3 counts)
- Failure to use safety belt – driver and vehicle occupant, Summary (3 counts)
Ramona Padillo is facing the following charges:
- Endangering Welfare of Children Parent/Guardian/Other Commits, Misdemeanor 1 (3 counts)
- Recklessly Endangering Another, Misdemeanor 2 (3 counts)
- Failure to Notify Change in Address, Summary
Jose and Ramona Padillo were lodged in the Clarion County Jail after failing to post $10,000.00 cash bail each.
They face preliminary hearings on January 9 at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Quinn.
The children were taken into protective custody.
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