Kids Left Alone After ICE Detained Their Father at a Gas Station, Employee Says

Two children were reportedly left behind after a swarm of ICE agents detained their father at a gas station in Oxnard, California, according to a local immigrant advocacy group.

Juan Conches was working as an attendant at the Sinclair gas station on the morning of May 4 when he says at least six cars pulled into the station and arrested the father when he exited his car to pump gas. Conches recalled the incident in a video shared by advocacy coalition 805 UndocuFund.

"They left the children inside the truck," Conches said. About 15 minutes after the children watched their father's arrest, Conches approached the vehicle. 805 Undocufund identified the children as a minor and a 19-year-old, who they described as "old enough to be alone but unable to drive, stranded, and powerless to leave."

"I asked the kids what happened they told me they took him," he said. The children let him know they called an older sister to pick them up, and Conches moved the vehicle to a parking spot to free up the pump while they waited for help.

"I think they were following him," Conches guessed. "Because what a coincidence, right?"

ICE and the Department of Homeland Security have not responded to questions from FOX11 about the incident, and his identity and the reason for his detention remain unknown.