PIMA COUNTY, AZ — The parents of a juvenile who was reported missing in Pima County on Tuesday have been arrested on child abuse charges, sheriff’s officials say.
Pima County Sheriff’s Department put out a notice of a missing teenager, saying 15-year-old Ryker Lee was last seen in the area of State Route 86 and State Route 286 in Three Points (Robles Junction) around 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Lee was later found safe around 1 p.m. Friday after a tip from a community member.
According to authorities, Lee reportedly left on foot.
Officials confirmed to KGUN 9 Wednesday morning that Lee's parents have since been arrested on child abuse charges stemming from further investigations at the family's home.
According to a news release, investigators located evidence of child abuse involving three children at the home.
"Ryker Lee had been confined inside a small, padlocked room within a recreational vehicle (RV) that lacked running water, restroom facilities, and air conditioning. Two younger siblings, ages 10 and 8, were found living in deplorable and unsanitary conditions inside the main residence," officials said.
According to PCSD and court documents obtained by KGUN 9, deputies reported a strong odor of cat urine when they entered the main residence. The flooring had stains of cat urine and throw up throughout the home. They said garbage and other miscellaneous items were scattered on the floor in the home, making it difficult to walk through. They also stated the children had plastic mattresses with no bedding.
In the RV, deputies reported findings of multiple plastic bottles with possible urine inside, which the mom confirmed was Ryker's.
The two younger children were taken into Department of Child Services custody, something Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says the three kids were familiar with.
"We believe there's been a history there going back a good four or five years," Sheriff Nanos said.
The mother of the children, 39-year-old Danielle Renae Lee-Sharp, and the stepfather, 43-year-old Michael Aaron Menzie, were arrested and each charged with three counts of child abuse. They are currently out on bond.
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Vanessa Gongora is KGUN 9's Westside reporter.. Vanessa fell in love with storytelling by growing up in sports. She was fascinated by how sports reporters go beyond the x's & o's to tell players' stories, and how sports bring people together, inspiring Vanessa to provide the same impact as a journalist. Share your story ideas and important issues with Vanessa by emailing vanessa.gongora@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
