Two Adults Arrested in Illinois After Four Children and Two Dogs Found Inside Enclosed Bed of U-Haul

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, POLICE SAY ROY HAMEL II AND SABRINA MCKINNEY CARRIED FOUR CHILDREN AND TWO DOGS IN THE ENCLOSED BED OF A MOVING TRUCK… AND BOTH NOW FACE MULTIPLE CHILD ENDANGERMENT CHARGES IN ILLINOIS.

The arrests were announced by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office in a press release.

On Thursday, August 27, deputies conducted a traffic stop in Pontiac, Illinois.

The stop took place at 6:07 p.m. on the northbound on-ramp to Interstate 55.

A U-Haul vehicle was being driven at the time by Roy Hamel II.

Sabrina McKinney was in the vehicle as a passenger.

Hamel spoke with deputies after the moving truck was pulled over.

He told deputies that he was driving the U-Haul because he and the others in the vehicle were moving from Louisiana to Michigan.

Then deputies began to search the truck.

During the search, deputies located four children inside the vehicle.

Deputies also discovered two dogs inside the truck.

Authorities reported that the four children and two dogs were “traveling inside the enclosed bed of the U-Haul.”

They had been placed in what officials identified as the enclosed area of the vehicle.

Following the discovery, emergency steps were taken to check on the welfare of the minors.

“The children were taken to a hospital to be evaluated for possible heat-related injuries,” the sheriff’s office said in the press release.

Along with announcing the arrests, the sheriff’s office released visual documentation from the scene.

The agency posted a photo taken from a deputy’s body camera that showed the inside of the vehicle.

The image revealed the conditions in which the occupants were traveling.

The U-Haul was packed with large plastic storage bins.

Laundry baskets and garbage bags were also piled inside the cargo area.

Meanwhile, clothes were spread out throughout the vehicle.

Several children were seen not securely placed in the car.

The children were seen lying on top of various objects in the truck.

Authorities took steps to ensure the privacy of the children before publishing the image.

Police censored the children’s faces in the photo so they were not able to be identified.

Both adults were taken into custody by deputies at the scene of the stop.

“The driver and passenger of the U-Haul were transported and released to the Livingston County Jail,” the sheriff’s office said in the press release.

Both suspects were formally charged following their arrests.

McKinney was charged with six counts of endangering the life or health of a child.

Hamel was also charged with six counts of endangering the life or health of a child.

But Hamel faces an additional count in connection with the traffic stop.

Hamel was charged with one count of driving with a suspended license.

Hamel and McKinney were taken into custody at Livingston County Jail.

Key information regarding the case and the occupants has not been disclosed.

Authorities did not share the ages of the four children found inside the truck.

Officials did not release details about the physical conditions of the children.

Authorities also did not disclose how everyone in the vehicle was related.

And questions remain unanswered regarding the current status of the four children.

Police did not say whether the children have been released from the hospital.

Police also did not say whose custody the children are in following the arrests.

It is not currently clear if Hamel has entered a plea.

It is not currently clear if McKinney has entered a plea.

It is also not currently clear whether Hamel or McKinney has retained legal counsel following their arrests.

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding updates in the case.

The investigation into the case remains ongoing.

The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.