LINDON, Utah (KUTV) — Two young girls were discovered inside a refrigerated trailer of a truck involved in a tire-related crash on I-15, resulting in multiple injuries.
Jacob Ortell Scott, 28, was arrested on suspicion of third-degree felony aggravated child abuse. Authorities clarified that the girls, aged 12 and 14, are siblings and not victims of trafficking.
According to the Utah Highway Patrol, the incident occurred Wednesday when Scott's tractor-trailer lost a tire. The tire bounced over the wall, striking two vehicles and causing minor injuries. A subsequent rear-end collision involved a semi-truck pushing a passenger car into several other vehicles.
During the investigation, a trooper observed “two sets of eyes” in the trailer. After questioning Scott, he revealed the presence of the girls. Troopers accessed the trailer, which had no accessible exit for the children.
Agents from the Utah State Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Child and Family Services reported that the girls had been in the trailer since departing Huntington, Utah, en route to Salt Lake City, a nearly two-hour journey. The interior thermostat was set at 30°F, with temperatures dropping to 29.5°F.
Scott was booked into the Utah County Jail, and the investigation remains ongoing.