Children, Drugs Found Inside U-Haul, Leading To 2 Arrests: Hillsborough Sheriff

TAMPA, FL — A man and a woman were arrested in Tampa on Saturday morning after Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies found two children unsecured inside a U-Haul van containing methamphetamine and prescription drugs, authorities said.

Deputies responded to a gas station in the 6300 block of North Dale Mabry Highway around 7:30 a.m. after a 911 caller reported two unresponsive people inside the van, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

When deputies arrived, they found Vilmarie Acosta Diaz, 46, slumped in the passenger seat, with her two children unsecured in the back of the vehicle.

As deputies approached the van, it began rolling forward. They identified the driver as Arian Hernandez Hernandez, 44, who appeared unsteady on his feet and had red, glossy eyes, investigators said. He was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence.

Deputies also found drugs on the passenger seat and later discovered methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and several prescription medications inside the van. One medication, methocarbamol, a muscle relaxant, was unsecured and within reach of the children, the sheriff’s office said.

Investigators also determined the van had no child safety seats and that the family appeared to have been living in the U-Haul.

Acosta Diaz was arrested and charged with two counts of child abuse, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of possessing a drug without a prescription and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

A family member responded to the scene and took custody of the children, authorities said.

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