Utah trucker arrested after teens found in 29-degree refrigerated trailer

A Utah truck driver was ordered to be held without bail after two young girls were discovered locked inside his refrigerated trailer following a traffic accident in Lindon, Utah, authorities said.

Jacob Ortell Scott, 28, was arrested Wednesday after Utah State Troopers found a 12-year-old and 14-year-old girl trapped inside his tractor-trailer’s refrigerated compartment on Interstate 15 in Lindon, according to court documents.

Troopers discovered the girls during an inspection when they “observed two sets of eyes” inside the trailer, officials said. When questioned, Scott initially appeared surprised but then admitted there were children inside after consulting with his passenger, according to the arrest affidavit.

The girls had been confined in the trailer since departing Huntington, Utah — a nearly two-hour journey to where they were found, according to an affidavit.

The trailer’s temperature was set to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, at one point dropping to 29.5 degrees, investigators said. Troopers also found bedding inside the freezing compartment.

Officials said the girls had no way to exit the refrigerated space on their own. The children were interviewed by agents from the Utah State Bureau of Investigation and Department of Child and Family Services.

Scott was taken to a local hospital for a possible hand injury before being booked into Utah County Jail. Judge Sean Petersen ordered Scott held without bail, citing “substantial evidence” and determining he posed a “substantial danger” to others.

Court records showed Scott had prior misdemeanor convictions but no felony record.

At this time, no lawyer has been assigned.