Children Bound Inside SUV; Couple Arrested

LAWRENCE, Kan. — A couple is behind bars after someone discovered two children bound with duct tape inside an SUV. A family of two adults, three teens and two younger children were traveling to Arizona from Chicago.

The family stopped at the Wal-Mart in Lawrence on Monday after experiencing mechanical problems. Officers were called to the store on Tuesday morning when someone noticed a child that had their hands bound and duct tape over their mouth. When police looked into the SUV, they actually found two children ages 5 and 7-years-old that were bound inside.

“We determined there was a male standing near two children who were both bound,” said Sgt. Trent McKinley with Lawrence Police. “Their arms were behind their backs and there faces were partially covered.”

When police tried to question the man inside the Suburban, he resisted arrest and was tased by officers. A woman who was inside the store at the time was also arrested.

Officers took the children to the police station to get them cleaned up and get them something eat.

“We fed them and went out and got diapers from the youngest child,” Sgt. McKinley said. “We’re working with SRS to find temporary placement. We also look for relatives who appear to be suitable.”

Both adults were charged with two counts of child abuse and five counts of child endangerment.